The Crusaders insist that they will be able to continue their remarkable recent success, despite seeing several players leave ahead of the 2020 season.

Scott Robertson’s men have dominated the past few years in Super Rugby, winning three titles in a row, and will look to maintain their dominance in the competition next year.

Fly-half Richie Mo’unga is confident that they can do just that, bullishly stating: “The dynasty doesn’t finish here. It’s a challenge for us to keep it going on.”

That view was echoed by number eight Kieran Read, who departs the franchise alongside the equally experienced Owen Franks, Ryan Crotty, Matt Todd and Tim Bateman

First team player Jordan Taufua will also leave, while Sam Whitelock is absent for the 2020 campaign due to a sabbatical, but Read isn’t concerned over the Crusaders’ future prospects.

“It’s in a great place,” the back-rower told reporters. “To go three in a row is very special. It’s well set up. The Crusaders are always built around, not the people that are there but the work ethic we present and the time we enjoy with our mates when we turn up.

“And that’s what Crusaders will always be about. The guys that are still coming back are well and truly in a great position and they will take this thing forward.

“They won’t be sitting on their laurels. I can see it getting even better.”

Despite Read’s positivity, certain absentees may well hamper the franchise’s efforts next year, particularly with one of the world’s premier locks having a year out of Super Rugby.

Whitelock will take up a short-term contract in Japan before returning in 2021 to prepare for the 2023 World Cup, but head coach Scott Robertson insists that it will allow the second-row to rejoin the side ‘refreshed.’

“We’ll miss him. I’ll miss him. I love my Whitelocks,” Robertson said. “It’s a chance for him to refresh and come back. That’s the thing, he is coming back.

“I think what he can be proud of is his leadership and his ability to prepare and get somebody else to come in and take over.”