The Crusaders are coming off one of their worst Super Rugby seasons ever.
They lost their opening five games in 2024 and missed out on the playoffs, finishing ninth with a four win, ten loss record.
The Crusaders take on the Hurricanes in Christchurch on Friday night, and the former All Blacks halfback and Sky Sport commentator Justin Marshall told ‘DSPN’ podcast host Martin Devlin their first outing is crucial.
"It's a defining game of the season for them" Marshall told DSPN. "They need to make a statement for their crowd and their own players' confidence against a very, very good side in the Hurricanes."
The 14-time Super Rugby champions were vulnerable at home last year, losing three of their games at Apollo Projects Stadium, including shock defeats to the Waratahs and Reds.
The Crusaders’ fortress took a real hammering last year, and they need to show they are a force to be reckoned with this year.
Coach Rob Penney was under extreme pressure to keep his job due to the poor results in his first season in charge, culminating in the experienced coach calling a TVNZ journalist an expletive an an infamous press conference.
Penney is off contract at the end of the season, and Marshall says a winning start is the only way to keep the reporters - and the Crusaders fans - at bay.
"They need to go out and put in a winning performance that sets their season up. If they don't, the same old demons will come drifting back".
The Crusaders have a new captain this season, with David Havili taking over from All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett.
They've also recruited experienced former Wallabies playmaker James O'Connor to provide more depth at first-five.
So, does Marshall see the Crusaders returning to form in the opening game?
"They've got too much experience in that side to know they can't start off mediocre and then find a way into the playoffs, so the Crusaders will win it on Friday night".
But he reckons it won't be easy.
Listen to the full interview with Justin Marshall and Martin Devlin here.
