On a Crusade

The Crusaders won the last of their seven titles in 2008 but they came agonisingly close to an emotional eighth crown last season, only to lose out 18-13 to the Reds.

Few would have begrudged the Crusaders victory after a difficult season that saw them forced to live a nomadic existence after the tragic earthquake in Christchurch.

They played 'home' matches in Nelson, Timaru, Wellington and even at Twickenham (against the Sharks to raise funds for earthquake relief) - and with the AMI Stadium still out of action, the Crusaders will relocate to Rugby League Park in Addington for the forthcoming campaign.

And All Blacks scrum-half Ellis insists the squad are determined use their experiences from last season to go all the way this time around.

"Last year was tough for us with everything that went on with the earthquake in Christchurch and being unable to play at home," Ellis told Sky Sports.

"To have come so close to tasting something so special has given us a real hunger for this year.

"To have come so close to tasting something so special has given us a real hunger for this year."
Andy Ellis Quotes of the week

"It has been a while since the Crusaders won the title - we've been there or thereabouts, losing a couple of semi-finals and then the final last year - so we feel that this is our time to win it back."

Rivalry

The Crusaders, though, have been handed a tough start to the new campaign - an away trip to three-time champions the Blues, who have recruited well in the off-season.

However Ellis, who has been named as vice-captain this season, is relishing the match-up.

"We've been training really hard and we are looking forward to Friday," said Ellis.

"There's a great rivalry between the Blues and Crusaders. Both teams are unbeaten in pre-season so the form is good and it should be a close game.

"It is obviously a tough start but these are the games you want to play in. I am a firm believer that you need to get amongst it to see if the things that you have worked on in training will pay off."

The Crusaders' hopes will not be helped by the absence of the talismanic Richie McCaw and the points machine that is Dan Carter.

Both players remain sidelined following their efforts in helping New Zealand to World Cup glory - however Ellis insists the Crusaders have the talent to step up to the mark.

Lucky

"Dan and Richie will be out for the opening few rounds but at the Crusaders we are really lucky to have good strength in depth and a great academy system in place," he explained.

"We've a young first-five-eighth in Tyler Bleyendaal, who looks a real quality player. He has done well in pre-season and is full of confidence.

"At openside we have Matt Todd and George Whitelock who have been around for a while and shown what they can do so we are pretty lucky in that respect."

While fly-half Bleyendaal, who skippered the Baby Blacks to the IRB Junior World Championship title in 2010, has caught the eye in the trial matches, Ellis has hailed the squad as a whole.

"We've pace out wide, power down the middle and the direction of Tyler in the backs, while we have the platform from the forwards," added the World Cup winner.

"Rather than having standout individuals, I think everyone will put their hands up over the course of the season."