Endless pre‑season laps are out and ball skills are in for the Crusaders for the 2017 Super Rugby season as new boss Scott Robertson places his imprint on the side.
Having fallen out of 2016 Super Rugby in the quarter‑finals, the Crusaders head into the new season keen to secure their first crown in nine years.
Most of the squad's All Blacks stars, including skipper Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock and Israel Dagg, are yet to return to pre‑season action.
But for the remainder of the squad, Robertson has introduced a new regimen of increased ballwork, game management and squad structure.
That includes new Test midfield recruit Seta Tamanivalu, who has reportedly arrived in Christchurch.
Tamanivalu will be joined by his nephew Manasa Mataele and Jone Macilai.
The Crusaders will begin their 2017 Super Rugby season on the 25th of next month against the Brumbies.
