Robertson plots yet another Super title

Scott Robertson’s beaming smile says ample ahead of his sixth year in charge of the Crusaders.

He remains energised, enthusiastic and, perhaps most importantly, still thoroughly enjoys coaching the team he also played for.

There is no doubt the 47-year-old also remains immensely motivated to continue the rip-roaring success the red-andblacks have enjoyed since he took over ahead of the 2017 season.

‘‘The theme is rolling, yeah. We are really deep into it. Really exciting. You see the smile on my face, that’s the connector that we believe is a real point of difference for us,’’ Robertson told Stuff after unveiling his 2022 squad this week.

Robertson has long been plotting the 2022 campaign, most likely his penultimate in charge of the Crusaders, as they eye a sixth title in as many years.

Instrumental to their success are Robertson’s themes, which remain closely guarded secrets outside the Rumble in the Jungle theme they utilised in 2017, when they won the franchise’s first title since 2008.

Robertson spends endless time not just coming up with them, but also planning how to instil them, ensuring they can be utilised over the course of a season.

‘‘That happens in the new year, but there is a lot of work that goes into it,’’ Robertson said regarding when he will introduce his squad to the latest theme with a unique video.

Despite the Blues winning the watered down trans-Tasman competition this year, the 2020 and 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa champion Crusaders remain the team every other side wants to knock over.

Robertson wouldn’t want it any other way, but accepts being serial winners – the 12-times champions have a 71-3-9 record since 2017 – comes with challenges, most notably ensuring complacency doesn’t creep in.

‘‘I think that’s the thing we’re most proud about. You can win two or three, but to go five in a row, and then the opportunity to go six in a row, is something that drives you, because you know you’re probably only going to get one shot at it.

‘‘That’s what I pride myself on, the ability to inspire guys each year, find a different reason, go deeper than we’ve had to before. We’re inspired to create new history, there is a totally different mindset, and a different way of motivating people.’’ Robertson’s latest squad includes 12 current All Blacks, not including injured midfielder Jack Goodhue, and five rookies – Shilo Klein, Finlay Brewis, Zach Gallagher, Dominic Gardiner and Corey Kellow.

Add Argentinian recruit Pablo Matera, halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Chiefs) and pivot Simon Hickey (Hurricanes) alongside the rookies, and there’s considerably more new faces than in recent seasons.

First-year players will attend a brief camp in Christchurch between December 13-18, before pre-season training starts proper (minus All Blacks) on January 6.

Finding players to take up shortterm contracts while the All Blacks are on leave has proven considerably more difficult this year, most notably due to a shrinking market in the wake of Moana Pasifika’s arrival, something Blues coach Leon MacDonald lamented this week.

‘‘It’s a challenge, the depth has been tested,’’ Robertson said. ‘‘Plus, a lot of guys going to Major League Rugby, a few to the Western Force, a couple to Japan. We’re probably about 80 deep compared to last year.’’

Robertson compared the experienced Hickey to Mike Delany, who spent the 2018 season as the Crusaders’ third pivot, while he was non-committal on where in the loose forwards Matera would play.

‘‘He can play all three . . . he will add something a little dynamic to our team, a bit of Latin flavour. I think the crowd at Orangetheory is going to get a bit more parochial, there will be a few chants.

‘‘Remember the Jaguares final [2019] when they all turned up? I don’t know where they came from ... but the whole stand was cranking.’’