Vastly under-rated in New Zealand, as was shown by his subsequent success in France where he became an established international, Tony Marsh proved himself the Crusaders’ not so secret weapon during the title winning year of 1998. Despite twice making the NPC final as a key member of the Counties Manukau side in 1996 and 1997, the South Auckland policeman endured a frustrating 1997 with the Blues, where he only once received the opportunity to play. His situation at the Crusaders a year later could not have been more different. Recruited as a reinforcement, Marsh made nine appearances off the bench throughout the campaign, adding value on every occasion on which he took the field. This was especially so during the final, where he helped solidify an injury hit Crusaders side as it eventually overpowered his former team-mates to secure the first of the franchise’s six titles.