In the beginning . . .

BY RICHARD KNOWLER

It was almost 14 years ago, but the memories are still fresh for Chris Wilson.

For Wilson, manager of the Canterbury Crusaders (as they were called back then) in 1996, there was no manual to refer to if he encountered a problem during the Super 12. Like everyone else, he had to think fast, roll up his sleeves and get stuck in.

"There was no book to go back to and look it up and Sanzar didn't really know what was required from us at that time," Wilson reflected. "You just had to think on your feet and get on with it."

In some aspects Sanzar presented a clumsy model for the inaugural season of the Super 12; for example, managers were required to file 15 reports after each match - a practice that was later scratched.

Nowadays, Super 14 franchises employ fulltime managers but Wilson, a Christchurch businessman who had worked under coach Vance Stewart with Canterbury, was signed on as a part-time operator, a decision that impacted on his business. "I don't think I got to my office hardly at all in about four months.

"It really was a non-stop learning curve. Nowadays a lot more people help out with the jobs, but back then the manager had to do everything from organising things such as passports to the baggage."

Some players, too, were still working part-time and had to fit their jobs in around training sessions. Nowadays that is unheard of.

The logistics of co-ordinating a group of about 30 players, coaches and support staff on tour between New Zealand, Australia and South Africa ensured Wilson had his hands full.

Adding to the complexities of the travelling professional rugby road show was hardly a surplus of retired professional rugby managers to discuss the issues with.

Team doctor David Burke was so concerned about the water in South Africa that the team took its own water across the Indian Ocean, loading 400 litres on to the plane for the trip.

Burke was also concerned about his players' health and prepared special diets before the team left for the republic. Nowadays the Crusaders are far more relaxed about where and what their players eat, and when it is safe, they are encouraged to leave their hotels and have a restaurant meal.

But such was the players' eagerness to have a change from the health food in 1996, they would sneak off to a fast-food joint before boarding their flights and fill their bags with hamburgers.

Security in South Africa has long been an issue and the Crusaders were wary about treading into the badlands where they would be an easy target.

Yet there was still potential for trouble - especially when a local identity was murdered in Durban and members of the deceased's immediate family were transferred to the Crusaders' hotel as a safety measure. Armed guards were designated to look after the family, a point that was lost on several Crusaders players who, after losing their keys and locking themselves out of their room, decided to return by the unconventional method of inching their way across a ledge on the outside of the building. Just what would have happened if the armed guards had spied two large males climbing the outside walls remains unclear.

On the field, the Crusaders won just two of their matches and finished last.

"We had a shocking run with injuries. I remember going to the airport to pick up someone new almost every week because another player had been injured," Wilson said. "The results didn't look great but they only lost some games by a few points. But that is just what rugby is about and despite the results, the morale was still good. Richard Loe was captain and although he was 'old school' he was very good."

After the season ended Wilson decided to concentrate on his businesses and the next year the manager's position was filled by Robbie Deans.

There was also a change in coaches, with Wayne Smith and Peter Sloane taking over from Vance Stewart and Aussie McLean.

The seeds for the most successful franchise in the history of the Super competition were starting to germinate and by 1998 the Crusaders had won their first Super title.

- © Fairfax NZ News