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Breakdancing Crusaders boss makes history

Johannesburg - Scott Robertson is not your typical rugby coach. 

He conducts his press conferences in boardshorts and slops, and with his mop of blonde hair doing its own thing, he generally looks like he has just strolled off the beach.

He makes up statistics, and then acknowledges that he has no idea what he is saying, and has an aura about him that would be far more suited to a professional surfer or skater. 

At the captain's run at Ellis Park on Friday, the media were given an opportunity to shoot some last-minute footage of the Crusaders ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby final. 

While Richie Mo'unga, David Havili and co went through some kicking drills, Robertson made himself comfortable on the touchline, stretching himself out and looking more interested in a quick snooze than he was in his flyhalf's kicking style. 

Throw in that he celebrates the odd victory with a rather impressive breakdance, and you surely have one of world rugby's more unique figures. 

But, despite all of the idiosyncrasies, the rookie coach clearly knows how to roll up his sleeves and get the job done.

The Crusaders have been sublime all season, and when they crushed the hopes of the Lions in front of a sold out Ellis Park on Saturday, they ensured that Robertson had made history. 

By guiding the Crusaders to their first Super Rugby title since 2008 in his first season in charge, the 42-year-old also became the first man in history to win Super Rugby as both a player and a head coach. 

Robertson won four of the five Super Rugby finals he played in for the Crusaders between 1998 and 2003, and when his side won on Saturday, he couldn't stop himself from bringing out the trademark breakdance on the Ellis Park turf. 

"It’s pretty special to do it as a player and a coach, especially on the stage it was on today," a more serious Robertson said after the match.

"It sort of hasn't sunk in, really. To win against the Brumbies away (2000) and then win this away, as the only team to do it, that’s what Crusaders do.

"We really worked hard to create opportunities to create history and we have."

The Crusaders are now the first side to win two Super Rugby finals having traveled overseas, and they are also the first to win a final having traveled across the Indian ocean.

"It’s just another part of our history. Everyone always asks us whenever we go to one of these: 'You guys haven’t won it for a while … when are you going to win it?'

"Now we won’t have to answer that question for a while, so that’s great."

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