Wynne Gray: Crusaders taking their time getting into gear

Israel Dagg of the Crusaders makes a break during the round six Super Rugby match against the Cheetahs. Photo / Getty Images

Slow to start before bubbling towards the playoffs.

That pattern for the Crusaders has become as familiar in Super Rugby as their Conquest of Paradise theme song which leads them into their home-ground battles.

Their impact has been immense in the short history of professional rugby and swamps all their rivals' as the tournament moves through its 20th season. Seven titles, appearances in 11 finals - success is expected from the Christchurch-based franchise.

Once more they have been slow to gather pace and cohesion with three wins and three defeats as they eye this weekend's clash in Durban against the Sharks, who lead the South African conference.

The Crusaders have Daniel Carter moving in the right direction after another injury blip while the Sharks will be without Frans Steyn, who has been banned for five weeks after another uneasy judicial mess from Sanzar.

The Crusaders need to find the winner's circle this round as the tournament edges towards its midpoint. A trip to Africa without any reward will bring an extra twitch to the decorated group. They are fourth in their New Zealand pool behind the Hurricanes, Chiefs and Highlanders and ninth in the overall ladder.

Each winner of the New Zealand, Australian and South African conferences is guaranteed a finals berth with the three next highest-ranked sides. Right now the Hurricanes, Brumbies and Sharks would qualify as leaders in their conference alongside the Chiefs, Highlanders and Waratahs.

The Crusaders are the last side in the group of nine teams which is separating from the rest of the field.

They are strewn with All Blacks, some who were late to enter this year's fray after international duties and others who need to be spelled to comply with obligations built into their contracts. Those requirements may take a costly chunk out of their hopes.

Once this match with the Sharks is done, the Crusaders have six local derbies in their nine remaining pool games. Nine games when they, their fan base and the All Black selectors will want to see their internationals doing their business. They play the Hurricanes and Blues twice, and the Chiefs and Highlanders at home.

Five of their last six matches are away from Christchurch, including the Reds, Waratahs and Brumbies in the final round. Those games in Australia will stretch their resources and the All Black compliance roster.

We've wondered, unnecessarily, whether the Crusaders would make some finals series. It's a scenario others, especially the Blues, dream about. The torment down south is whether they can win another title rather than qualify for the chance.

They were pipped last year by Bernard Foley's boot for the Waratahs as a controversial late decision meant another chance to add to their rich history ebbed away. That's six campaigns since their last 2008 title.

Todd Blackadder and his men have finished 4th, 4th, 2nd, 4th, 4th, 2nd in their alliance. Fourth again this year if the pattern continues?

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Right now the Crusaders will be relieved to qualify. If they manage that, the tournament starts again. Their crusade is all about making the finals and to do that they need to run down one of the Highlanders, Chiefs or Hurricanes and ease past the Waratahs, Bulls and Stormers.

It's not a lay down misere this time, not in a World Cup season where every side has something extra to play for.