Greatest Crusaders XV

Tonight, the Crusaders kick off their search of their record 8th title against the Blues in Auckland and move one step closer to becoming the Real Madrid of Super Rugby rather than just merely the AC Milan of Super Rugby.

*Real Madrid have won the Champions League 9 times to AC Milan's 7.

There have been plenty of great Crusaders sides in the past including the one in 2002 that went unbeaten throughout the season and would morph into the 2002 All Blacks.

So what is the greatest Crusaders side of all time?

Here's my pick.
1.Wyatt Crockett - probably the best loosehead prop this side of Tony Woodcock
2.Mark Hammett - typical no-nonsense Cantabrian stock, now doing great things at the Hurricanes
3.Greg Somerville - could play either side of the front row with aplomb
4.Brad Thorn - a living day Kiwi sporting legend who could play on till he was 60 and still be good
5.Chris Jack - skillful lock who was dominant in the lineouts and good with ball in hand
6.Todd Blackadder - Toddy was a world class leader on and off the field
7.Richie McCaw (captain) - nuff said
8.Kieran Read - sorry Scott Robertson but Read is probably the best ever no. 8 to don red and black
9.Justin Marshall - a halfback whose skills and abilities are only now starting to be appreciated
10.Daniel Carter - nuff said
11.Caleb Ralph - 2nd highest try scorer of all time even if he was maligned as an All Black
12.Aaron Mauger - a great influence in the midfield who wasn't appreciated enough at the top level
13.Daryl Gibson - steadying influence at centre for the Crusaders
14.Rico Gear - probably the best winger ever to play for the Crusaders
15.Leon Macdonald - it'd be a travesty not to have him in there somehow

16.Corey Flynn - good solid option on the bench - end of story
17.Dave Hewett - another solid no-nonsense Cantabrian prop
18.Sam Whitelock - could potentially be one of our best ever locks
19.Reuben Thorne - it would be madness not to have the longtime captain in the side
20.Andy Ellis - great all-round halfback who can ease pressure on first-five with good decision making
21.Andrew Mehrtens - see Leon Macdonald
22.Israel Dagg - a great fullback with tremendous attacking abilities