ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Sport
SEEING RED
Diehard Crusaders fan Craig Chamberlain is absolutely fuming this week — not because of form, injuries or referees, but because the Crusaders are being forced to play a semi-final before taking their ‘rightful place’ in the Super Rugby Pacific final.
“I just don’t see why we have to go through all this palaver when the outcome is already known,” said a red-faced Chamberlain, annoyed by the fact the Crusaders must play another match before taking their place in the grand final.
“They beat the Reds comfortably last weekend in a pointless quarter-final. We’ve never lost a home playoff. Thirty bloody wins. Zero losses. What more do these people need? I don’t want to see Rieko Iaone showboating around our fortress!” Chamberlain said disappointed his side will have to play a meaningless match against the Blues this weekend in Christchurch.
According to Chamberlain, the requirement to play a semi-final at home in Canterbury is not only “a waste of everyone’s time” but “borderline disrespectful to the franchise.”
When asked if he’d still be attending the semi-final, Chamberlain scoffed.
“Of course I will. I’ve been to 18 finals and I treat semi-finals like a formal warm-up. But I’ll be crossing my arms and muttering the whole time, I can tell you that much. Waste of bloody time.
“It’s just classic NZ Rugby admin if you ask me. Making us jump through hoops when everyone knows we’ll be in the final anyway. Might as well just hand us the trophy and spare everyone the petrol. I’m glad Mark Robinson has fallen on his sword today!”
More to come.
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