We’re back in the top four for the first time since the start of the season and now we have another big challenge in the form of the Blues in Auckland on Saturday night.

Obviously we are very happy that our destiny is in our control. We know what we have to do – beat the Blues, preferably with a four-try bonus point – and we are in with a good chance of making the semi-finals.

It’s been do-or-die time since we lost to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. Coming after a great win over the Sharks in Durban the week before, it was very disappointing, but we responded very well.

We needed five points against the Lions in Johannesburg and got them and another five points against the Reds at AMI Stadium on Friday night and again we did it.

The response from the players has been fantastic. They did very well against the Reds with only a short week to prepare for the Friday night game after landing in Christchurch from South Africa late the previous Sunday night.

The players’ sleeping patterns weren’t quite back to normal and the rain could have caused a few problems but we created plenty of opportunities and managed to score five tries, which was pleasing.

Now we have to lift it again for the Blues because they will be a very tough opponent at Eden Park.

They have nothing to lose and have such firepower all over the park that we can’t afford to switch off for a second.

They have some class players in Rene Ranger and Joe Rokocoko, for example. And veterans like Keven Mealamu will want to finish the season on a high.

This season has echoes of 1998 for me. Back then I was a player and we won the title in the final against the Blues after being written off by everyone.

The way that we have stuck to it, kept our faith in each other, and never given up, is quite similar to that season.

I hope the experiences that these players have had this season stand them in good stead for the rest of it. Certainly, they have learned a lot, especially the younger ones.

They will be better players for it and I hope they get their just rewards this season.

A special mention has to go to Leon MacDonald. He has been an absolute inspiration for the Crusaders over many years. We are all sad that he is leaving to take up a contract in Japan at the end of the season, but we hope to see him back here very soon.

Thanks for your support, it is always appreciated.

Todd Blackadder
Crusaders Head Coach