Crusaders have lost respect: Todd Blackadder

Super Rugby enters its fifth round this weekend but it may just prove to be the first time we see the real Crusaders after coach Todd Blackadder handed down a stinging self-assessment.



"Teams don't respect us," Blackadder said after training on Thursday.



It's an acknowledgment that will likely surprise those who rate the seven-time champions as the perennial competition benchmark despite the lack of a title since 2008.

But having watched his side register a far from convincing 1-2 start to the season, it's obviously a tag Blackadder believes is warranted.







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