Highlanders are tough, but I've got faith in our side

OPINION: We're on the brink of the 2010 Super 14 season – the 15th year of Super rugby, and as we head into it I can't help but think about the first year.

Back then – 1996 – I was a player and it was known as the Super 12. It was a fresh, exciting period, and we were all professional rugby players for the first time.

Rugby was going through massive changes. Everything seemed to be moving very quickly – rebel leagues, contracts, the potential to travel and play in different countries in one competition.

It was the first time players had to train professionally and it was a hell of an adjustment to make.

What happened with the Crusaders in 1996 is, of course, well documented. History shows we came last. But we quickly regrouped and have won seven titles since, four more than any other team.

We turned what could have been a negative into a real strength.

Every year the bar gets raised a little bit more and the Crusaders head into this year's competition with a lot of excitement. There's a lot to look forward to. We're playing in front of the newly completed Deans Stand at AMI Stadium and we should see more positive rugby because of different interpretations of the breakdown rules by referees.

Last week's pre-season match against the Blues in Motueka showed the support that is behind the Crusaders and the 8200 people who packed into Sports Park created a brilliant atmosphere. When there's that connection between the crowd and the players it's hugely uplifting.

The players love mixing with the supporters and signing an autograph is one way of giving something back. A lot of kids dream of being great rugby players and being up close and personal with their heroes can help give that dream a push.

We hope that connection continues on Saturday night at the game against the Highlanders.

The Highlanders are a team with a very proud tradition. They're tough men who have beaten us home and away over the past two seasons and we're expecting a big battle on Saturday night.

We've played some big matches over the years. The 1999 Super 12 final at Carisbrook comes to mind – a capacity crowd, a great Highlanders team and two sets of players going hammer and tongs at each other.

In that case we were victorious, but you only have to look at the last couple of seasons to see how dangerous the Highlanders are.

Coaches Mark Hammett, Daryl Gibson and I are satisfied with where we are at heading into the first match.

We've come off two fairly tough pre-season matches – against the Reds in Brisbane and the Blues – and they have given the players an indication of what to expect on Saturday night.

It's great to have someone like Dan Carter back in the mix for us after he was away last year.

But in truth we have every faith in all of our squad members and our wider training-group players who are only one injury away from putting on the jersey.

It should be a great season – see you at AMI Stadium.

- © Fairfax NZ News