Attending 34 straight Canterbury games so far, going to 27 out of 32 Crusaders games in the last two years and still counting, this must be Canterbury’s biggest rugby fan.

Canterbury rugby fanatic Robin Leary followed most of the Crusaders historic 2011 season after they played every game on the road due their home ground, AMI stadium, being damaged after the February 22 earthquake.

Twickenham, Cape Town, Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Hamilton, Nelson, Timaru and Brisbane twice were all part of the journey for the Hornby resident.

Leary who said he is “probably” one of the biggest followers of Canterbury and Crusaders rugby said he loves to follow the team and he enjoys the atmosphere of live rugby.

“I’ve stayed at the same hotel with them a few times and got to know them a little bit, sometimes I have a beer with the managers and stuff too.”

Leary said his loyalty to the red-and-blacks has also paid him divides with players and management getting to know who him quite well.

This connection was vital for Leary after he hit a hiccup after going to the Crusaders’ semi-final in Cape Town against the Stormers.

“I went from Cape Town to Brisbane to go and watch the final but the tickets for the final were sold out in 20 minutes. Luckily Tony Thorpe (Crusaders manager) got me tickets to the match.”

The 52-year-old has been to a fair share of stadiums all over the world but for him there is one that really sticks out from the rest.

“Twickenham was good but I was disappointed with the crowd there. I think that Brisbane (Suncorp stadium) was the best. Everything there looks so brand-spanking new and the atmosphere is really good,” he said.

Despite the disappointment of the Crusaders stumbling at the final hurdle against the Reds at Suncorp Stadium, Leary believed the final was the “pinnacle of the season”.

“Yeah that would have to be the highlight probably, it’s the final so it had to be the best I guess.”

Travel, tickets and accommodation were all factors Leary had to take into consideration but the money he has spent in the last two years is something he chooses to turn a blind eye to.

“I try not to think about how much money I have spent. The Super 15 was quite expensive with every game being played on the road but I usually try to get the cheap flights,” he said.

Leary and his wife Susan, who “comes along 99% of the time”, have already booked tickets to every Canterbury game for this ITM Cup season and plan to make them all to support the region they have committed themselves to so much.