By David Di Somma
In the words of Supertramp's 1975 album Crisis? What crisis? It seems the Crusaders have coped well with the off season and high profile departures of Colin Slade and Dan Carter.
Many were predicting the demise of the seven-time champions as a force in Super Rugby and that they couldn't compete without a world class pivot.
It is early days indeed - but Richie Mo'unga does look accomplished as a Super Rugby first five. His goal-kicking at 60 percent is not up to scratch but his general play has been encouraging. He scores tries and his tactical awareness appears good, though he gives a lot of credit for that to the old heads either side of him, halfback Andy Ellis and second five Ryan Crotty.
The Brumbies this weekend in Canberra will be a good gauge of where Mo'unga and the Crusaders are at. They have won six in a row, though apart from their opening round loss to the Chiefs, and the win over the Lions in Johannesburg, they have yet to play the real big guns.
The Brumbies were beaten by the Chiefs in Canberra - you can bet they will be keen to avenge that against another Kiwi side.
Mo'unga showed his potential in the champion Canterbury NPC team after representing New Zealand at under-20 level.
He's not a big first five - about 1.76 metres and around 85 kilograms - but he's made a good go of his rookie year and is ahead of fellow first five contenders Marty Mckenzie and Ben Volavola.
The real test for Mo'unga will be when the heat goes on - when his decisions (and others) are the difference between making the play-offs or not.
Check out the following video for Mo'unga's thoughts - and those of his team-mate Andy Ellis and assistant coach Dave Hewett.
Newshub.