Otago Highlanders - News
	Parochial fans make Carisbrook difficult proposition By Alistair McMurran All Black Andrew Mehrtens finds it more difficult playing for the Canterbury Crusaders at Carisbrook than anywhere else because of the fierce parochial support for Otago.  "It used to be the same at Eden Park but that changed at last year's Super 12 final when the red and black supporters out-numbered the Auckland supporters in the crowd," Mehrtens said.  It is always a grind for Canterbury teams at Carisbrook and that was certainly true yesterday despite a sea of red and black flags in the crowd.  "There are a number of students down here from Canterbury and they must have got a bit sick of the `Otago thing', and just wanted the chance to cheer for someone else. That worked in our favour today." Mehrtens (26) said the experience playing in last year's final helped the Crusaders yesterday.  "We knew it was possible for us to win and we hoped it would happen, especially down here," he said. Mehrtens kicked a dropped goal to stretch the lead to 10 points with just 11 minutes left.  "It gave us the breathing space we needed," he said.  He had also kicked the last minute dropped goal against the Northern Bulls at Pretoria that was the catalyst for the Crusaders winning their remaining games and retain the Super 12 crown.  "Each week after that was a little step for us," Mehrtens said. "It made us believe in ourselves and things start to bounce your way when that happens." Mehrtens injured his right foot when he dropped a weight on it in training while in South Africa. It was stood on again yesterday and he hobbled around after the game.  "I'm sore," he said as he walked with one shoe in hand.  But All Black doctor John Mayhew, who examined Mehrtens, his Crusaders team-mate Daryl Gibson, who has a knee problem, and the Highlanders' halfback Byron Kelleher, who has a shoulder worry, said the injuries were not serious.  Kelleher was also in pain after the match after his shoulder smashed into the ground in a tackle.  "We'll be able to tell when it settles in the next day or two," Highlanders team physiotherapist Dusty Quinnsaid. Exciting Crusaders wing Afato So'oalo will not have much time to celebrate with his team-mates. So'oalo, who scored the game-breaking try midway through the second spell, leaves Christchurch today to join the Western Samoan team in its Pacific Rim campaign.  So'oalo (25) deserves the kudos of Crusaders supporters after scoring a try in the final round-robin match against the Sharks and one yesterday to help the his team retain the Super 12 crown.  His try against the Sharks initiated a second-half comeback that ensured the Crusaders of a semifinal berth.  So'oalo, who missed most of last season with injury, has made a big impact for the Crusaders over the past four weeks.

 
Web design by Griffco  griffs@es.co.nz