Canterbury Crusaders Rugby, Christchurch

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Rugby is the big team sport which is played in Jade Stadium in winter, and the Crusaders are probably the best club/regional team in the world. They have been the champions of the Super12 and Super14 series which is the league for the best professional rugby teams of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa - well... until their dreadful semi-final performance against the South African Bulls in May 2007...

Watching a Crusaders game is seeing many players of the famous All Blacks, New Zealand's great rugby team which was the world's dominant team from 2005 to 2007 until they lost their World Cup Quarter Final against France 18:20 in Cardiff on 6 Oct 2007... :-(

Oh, read my opinion from early 2007:

"The only danger for the All Blacks is coach Graham Henry who rested the All Blacks players for several months, so they would stay fit for the World Cup 2007 in France. The opposite was the case: Many were injured after the so-called reconditioning programme - which meant: building up muscles, getting faster, losing fat, and all while being wrapped in cottonwool."

And at the World Cup he practised an idiotic rotation system instead of making his best team run smoothly for the important games. I wonder why I always have to tell the coaches what would be the best thing to do. And do not blame me: I do tell them in advance because I have a lot of experience in sports and know how such things do end - and I wonder why they do think they could rewrite history! Graham Henry's reconditioning programme had already cost the Crusaders the Super 14 title! Thank you!

Anyway... The world's best players are part of the Crusaders: Daniel Carter (first five-eighth) was elected World Player of the year 2005 (and is still the most skilled and talented player alive) and his team mate Richie McCaw, the All Blacks skipper and flanker, in 2006.

Equipment: It is no problem NOT to show up in red and black - the colours of the Crusaders and of the Canterbury team. If it is not a super hot day always take at least a fleece jacket or other warm clothes with you, as especially in the high stands the wind can be rather strong and chilly. Sometimes it is even recommended to take a beanie and a blanket. If it is reallllllllly cold (and only Kiwis keep on walking around in shorts...) better go to the Holy Grail in Worcester Street and watch the game with other fans on TV... ;-)

Tickets at Jade Stadium (Stevens Street) and all Ticketek outlets (Town Hall, Ballantynes, Westpac Centre, most big shopping malls etc.)



It is great fun to watch a game in the stadium, not only because the Crusaders normally win ;-) It is also watching the fans who joke around with the opponent's fans who can happily sit within the "enemies" without being beaten up. The specatators comment mistakes and mishaps with laughter. If you are from Europe and used to football (soccer) crowds you might miss the passion and noise, the angry whistling and singing.

After the Super14 season rugby continues with the NPC, the national competition of regional teams. In summer you can watch cricket in Jade and other stadiums.