The Crusaders have warned that they will not slow down after they won their ninth Super Rugby title on Saturday.
The most dominant team in the competition's history made it nine titles in 22 years with a typically ruthless 37‑18 defeat of the Lions in the final in Christchurch on Saturday.
Defending their title with virtually the same team who tasted glory against the Lions in Johannesburg a year earlier, the Crusaders are set announce close to an identical group in 2019.
Bursting with All Blacks forwards and some of the premier young backline talent in New Zealand, it seems even now it will take something special to prevent Scott Robertson's men from claiming a hat‑trick.
Robertson says his mind is "already wandering" to next year after a compelling display in the decider.
They went without silverware for eight years under predecessor Todd Blackadder before Robertson sparked them into life last season.
Retiring prop Wyatt Crockett and Bordeaux‑bound winger Seta Tamanivalu won't be back next season.
[Source: AAP]
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