Robertson and Thorn highlight gulf in SR Trans Tasman

Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has lent a voice to the notion of the gap between the Australian and New Zealand teams in Super Rugby Trans Tasman. After two rounds of the competition, no Australian side has recorded a single win. 

The Crusaders demolished Super Rugby AU champions, the Queensland Reds, (63-28) in Brisbane this weekend and Robertson had the following to say: 

“I would have liked Australian teams to knock off a few of the Kiwi teams to make the ladder a little more even. 

“The rest of this comp’s really important for Australian rugby to show a bit for their supporters.” 

In the wake of his team’s defeat, Reds boss Brad Thorn seems to be on the same page as Robertson. 

“I’ve said all year we need to play the New Zealanders if you want to get better,” Thorn said. 

“You get a punch in the face, but you sit in the locker room afterwards and think, ‘that’s it, that’s where we want to be’. 

“We need to play these guys; we want to play them and we want to win. 

“But there’s a team that’s far superior, and you’ve got to wear that. Welcome to world-class, now you’ve got to get in the ring with them.”