Rugby's road warriors

The Crusaders lived up to their name by marauding in foreign fields all season to become the first team in Super rugby history to qualify for the final without enjoying home advantage once throughout the campaign.

The seven-times champions were unable to use the AMI stadium in Christchurch following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on February 22 that claimed 182 lives and left thousands homeless.

Their achievement is astounding and unparalleled in world sport. Only in tournaments such as a World Cup will a team win a title playing all their matches away from home. But in a 21-week competition spanning 19 games, where a minimum of eight matches should be on home ground, the Crusaders have set a new standard.

All that stands between them and the most remarkable title in their illustrious history are the Reds in this week's final in Brisbane after they beat the Stormers 29-10 at Newlands on Saturday.

The events of February galvanised the team in ways no one outside Christchurch could possibly imagine. They have uncomplainingly lived out of suitcases for five months and succeeded where 13 other teams have failed by reaching the final.

For the players, the constant travel has been a small sacrifice compared with what their fellow citizens have endured. They have not only had their lives literally turned upside down, but also lost out on seeing their team in action.

"There has been a lot of adversity this year and it's really hard to describe just how tough it's been unless you've actually experienced it and had a look at Christchurch," Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said.

"Everything that has happened in Christchurch over the course of the season has had a direct impact on the team in some way or another. Kieran Read had liquefaction (where soil behaves like liquid when placed under stress by an earthquake) through his house.

"What has become important is that the situation at home has given a lot of meaning and purpose to what we do. We are a beacon of hope for our community and the players have wanted to do well for the supporters. It means so much to them when they are going through such hardships."

All Black flyhalf Dan Carter, who is the Crusaders' all-time leading points-scorer, believes the adversity has spurred his side on to greater heights this season.

"It's been very challenging because there has been uncertainty about where games will be played and even where training sessions will happen," Carter said.

"If anything though, it's brought us closer together as a team and made us want to be more successful to put a smile back on the faces of the people of Christchurch.

"If we go on to win the competition it would be a fantastic story because I don't think that any team in sport has won a tournament of this nature without a single home game. We're tight as a unit and focused on achieving that goal."

Blackadder also praised the players' families for the sacrifices they've made, which have contributed to the Crusaders' success.

"This team gets to travel and stay in beautiful places and nice hotels but it's the wives and partners who are going through the drudgery and the hardship back home, and to me they are the unsung heroes of this campaign," Blackadder said.

"They are the ones who have the greatest sacrifices for the team this year and as a result I have not heard one player complain or make an excuse when things haven't gone our way on the field.

"That tells you how committed they have been because they know that back home people are still going outside to use portaloos in the roads because they have no running water and power in their homes, and many are still scared."

An eighth title next week would be a fitting end to this remarkable story.