Outgoing Crusaders coach eyes 7th straight Super Rugby title

The Crusaders aim to secure a seventh straight Super Rugby title and a triumphant swansong for talismanic All Blacks-coach-to-be Scott Robertson this Saturday. But the in-form Chiefs could spoil the party.

READ | Boks chuffed to have Jantjies in camp: 'Lucky to have a guy of his standard as 4th choice flyhalf'

Having lifted silverware with the Crusaders each season since he took charge in 2017, this is Robertson's last game before leading the New Zealand national side after the Rugby World Cup.

With a host of All Blacks on display, tickets for the final at the Chiefs' home ground in Hamilton are sold out.

Robertson knows to expect a rough reception from the home crowd. "It's going to be hostile, it's going to be passionate," he told reporters on Thursday.

"You know you are walking into a pressure environment. Crusaders love these moments."

Victory would complete the set of seven consecutive titles for the Crusaders - including 2020 and 2021 when they won a domestic competition for New Zealand's five teams with the borders shut due to Covid-19.

"To have the ability to go seven in a row means a lot to this group," added Robertson.

He anticipates a tough final against the Chiefs, who finished the regular season top of the table before the play-offs. "They have set the benchmark. It's going to be a great occasion."

Whitelock returns

The Crusaders, who bulldozed past the Blues 52-15 in the semi-finals, have named a powerful starting side with New Zealand lock Sam Whitelock back after an Achilles tendon injury.

"He's played about 1 000 first-class games, he's a pretty seasoned campaigner and knows what it takes to win these sort of games," Crusaders' All Blacks star Will Jordan said of Whitelock's timely return.

"When things get tight