Support at home more important than ever

We find ourselves this week in somewhat foreign territory at the bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific table, where no team likes to find themselves, least of all the Crusaders.

Recovered from injury and ready to take the field again this Friday against the Rebels, skipper Scott Barrett spoke on the negativity and pressure the team has faced from outside the walls of Rugby Park.

“You have to block that out and stay focussed and believe. You’re here for a reason, and the 23 players that have been selected are here for a reason,” Barrett said

David Havili also returns this week after injury and implored Crusaders fans to stay loyal and true to the team. 
“We’re at home against this week and we need your support” said Havili “Just stay with us, we’re trying hard and we need you more than ever,” said Havili.

To make it even easier to support the team this week, we’re offering a two-for-one ticket deal for the Friday night clash. Get your tickets here.

For coach Rob Penney, he wants to make sure that regardless of the score board, “people can see that the team really cares about what’s going on”,

“A really good performance is good for everybody. There is no doubt that the mentality with the group over the last few weeks has been driving towards that”. 

The big question remains: “Can we still win this competition?”

“Absolutely. A few wins. Simple as that,” Penney said.

“I’ve got a lot of belief in the group. I trust them implicitly. I don’t have any doubts they’re capable of winning the competition.”

Barrett and Havili couldn’t agree more, looking forward to the upcoming two games on home turf.

“That’s the best thing about rugby. You get the opportunity week in and week out regardless of what we’ve done the last couple of weeks,” said Havili.

“We understand there’s certainly a big challenge ahead,” said Barrett.

“It’s a challenge we’re excited by.”

Filling the stands with outrageously loud cheers and chants is the ultimate way to fire up our boys, and with back-to-back home games, now is the time to do it. Our Connection Week against the Rebels is 2 for 1 tickets, giving fans even more opportunity to come down to the stadium and be amongst the atmosphere.

As we crusade through the challenges of the 2024 season we must embrace this opportunity to stand by our team and show our competition that the strength and unity of our fans is still our unfair advantage.