With the new Super Rugby season starting this Friday the most successful team Canterbury Crusaders will seek their eighth title in 2012.

The epic road trip that was the Crusaders 2011 season caught the imagination of rugby fans around the world after Christchurch’s tragic earthquake deprived Todd Blackadder’s troops of a permanent home ground.

They were also left to make do without talismanic skipper Richie McCaw for much of the season due to scheduled rest and injury.

The Crusaders nevertheless topped the New Zealand conference and finished third in the overall standings.

In the first match of this season the Crusaders will play Blues at Eden Park at 6.35pm on Friday, at 8.40pm Friday, the Brumbies take on Force.

On Saturday at 6.35pm, the Chiefs face Highlanders while the Waratahs take on the Reds at 8.40pm.


Story by: Ronal Deo
Source: planetrugby.com