Two losses are not ideal, but the Crusaders won’t be panicking, Mark my words.

IT HASN’T been a great start for the Crusaders in 2013.

However, people would be foolish to begin writing the Christchurch-based side’s eulogy after just two games.

After all, the Crusaders have a tendency of starting slowly. History suggests that. In 1998, they lost three of their first four games and yet by the time the sun set on that campaign, Todd Blackadder was raising the side’s very first Super Rugby trophy at Eden Park. In 2004, they came off second best in their first two outings – at home, no less – before going on to contest the competition decider against the Brumbies in Canberra.

Put simply, the red and blacks are a side which takes a while to warm to its task; a side which is usually operating at its optimum – or close to – when the pointy end of the campaign draws closer.

Now don’t get me wrong. I understand the Crusaders are not as feared as they used to be. They’re not as invincible either. A four-year title drought stretching back to 2008 supports that argument.

There are also question marks over Blackadder’s ability to take this team to the Super Rugby Promised Land and the tactics being employed to get it there.

But the Crusaders still have a capable team – even when you subtract the considerable talent of Richie McCaw (sabbatical), Sean Maitland (Scotland), Ben Franks (Hurricanes) and Zac Guildford.

Andy Ellis, Kieran Read and Dan Carter (pictured) are still on the books. That is a world-class 8-9-10 axis in anyone’s language.

And when you add to that mix the likes of Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Matt Todd, Ryan Crotty, Robbie Fruean and Israel Dagg – all proven Super Rugby performers, might I add – into that mix, you can see the Crusaders have enough experience and talent to overcome their slow start and push for the playoffs for the 12th consecutive season.

These aforementioned players have been in situations like this before. They have got the t-shirt, coffee cup and just about every other piece of cheap memorabilia to show for it. They know what they need to do to right the ship.

There’s no denying that against the Blues the Crusaders were several clicks below their best. They were smashed at the collision, too predictable on attack and brutally exposed out wide.

But against the Hurricanes, they were much improved. Their set-piece and kickoff work was better and there were signs of the ruthless, efficient play of old as they crossed for four tries. Only ill-discipline and a brain explosion from Adam Whitelock cost them victory.

Two losses are not ideal, but the Crusaders won’t be panicking. There’s no need to. They will come again.

Mark my words.

By Lee Stace