As the Crusaders prepare to face the Waratahs in a huge match at AMI Stadium on Saturday night, I have a challenge for all our supporters.
Let’s set a new attendance record at the ground. We’ve had some pretty good numbers turn up to our four home games so far, but let’s get a really big crowd in for Saturday’s match against the top-of-the-table Waratahs.
The benchmark so far is about 23,000 for the Highlanders match in round one so let’s see if we can beat that.
It would do wonders for our team and it would definitely lift the boys, I can guarantee it.
There is nothing better than playing in front of a packed home stadium. And we could do with the support against a Waratahs team which has been playing well this season and which includes guys like Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess and Lachie Turner.
Once again we’re playing a team immediately before they have a bye this season. Already that’s happened against the Blues, Chiefs and Hurricanes.
Teams seem to have an added edge in these matches – they know they’ve got a break the next weekend so they give it absolutely everything.
I think the rugby this season has been fantastic and a big step up from last season.
Looking back over the past round – it had everything didn’t it? The Force scored their first win of the season thanks to a drop goal after the hooter against the Stormers, we drew with the Hurricanes thanks to a late try to Ti’i Paulo in what was a pretty controversial match, and the Bulls suffered their first loss of the season against a fired-up Blues team.
Incidentally, the hits in that last match were breathtaking – and that was just for the spectators and viewers on TV.
The referees are definitely getting it right in terms of the breakdown rule – it is opening the game up and making for a much better spectacle.
And we’re now getting to the stage where desperate teams are playing teams at the top of the table which is adding to the drama.
The Hurricanes match. No doubt you’re wondering about my thought processes as we went out to an 18-point lead only to let the Hurricanes back in before scoring a very late try for a draw.
I never really felt that we weren’t going to come back and score. I thought if we played with a bit of patience we’d finally get through.
As for Dan Carter’s missed conversion at the end – I was down on the pitch before the match and the wind was swirling around, making for very difficult kicking conditions, especially the end we were attacking in the second half.
Speaking of Dan, he reached a significant milestone against the Hurricanes - 1,000 points in Super rugby, what a fantastic achievement. Sure he has talent but what makes the difference is the way he prepares. That achievement was all down to practice and work ethic and was thoroughly deserved.
Dan is currently on 1,007 points, just ahead of Brumbies player Stirling Mortlock on 1,005. Also in his sights is the 1,000 Test points milestone for the All Blacks – he is sitting on 994. How long before he breaks the record of 1172 Test points – set by Jonny Wilkinson of England?