Welshman Mark Jones will have plenty to remember 2020 by when he eventually gets time to sit back and reflect on his coaching career.
He departed Wales to join the Crusaders in December last year and while that had obvious benefits for his future coaching career, the good fortune to be able to benefit from New Zealand's success during the Covid-19 pandemic had allowed him time to grow while others around the world could only sit and watch.
He had expected to partake of a full Super Rugby competition. He got seven games in and then had to go into lockdown like the rest of New Zealand only to emerge when a New Zealand only competition was introduced.
Jones said the Super Rugby Aotearoa competition had been played out quickly but with two games left they were concentrating on beating the Highlanders, a win that would seal the competition honours for the side.
They would worry about the game first and then assess what would be required for their final game.
"I had a little taste of Super Rugby before everything changed with Covid and there was no doubt that was an intense competition for different reasons: travel, a variety of opposition but this competition is more traditional than what I'm used to back in the northern hemisphere.
"There's a lot of derby rugby, playing your rivals back-to-back and I think what you've seen is a real engagement with the crowds around that.
"They've lapped up the opportunity to go up against their bitterest rivals and I think the players have embraced it the same way. I think it has improved the quality of the games as well," he said.
Reflecting on his decision to come to New Zealand, Jones said he was well aware of the Crusaders record, not only over 25 years but especially over the last four years and no coach wanted to come in and be associated with a drop in performance.
"You've got to understand what winning looks like and what goes beforehand to make it happen and I think what we've been able to do, certainly in my time here, is treat every game as it comes and not get too far ahead of yourself.
"As a result, I think the performances have dictated the results," he said.
Jones said he had got out and looked at club rugby as non-playing Crusaders had been involved. He was impressed with the speed of the games, and while acknowledging it was amateur and without the skills of professional players, it was humbling for those Crusaders who did play to be involved.
"It is a good vehicle for young players in particular and there're different challenges there for them than they would get if they were playing for us," he said.
Jones said there was intense interest in Britain with the tournament and he said the coverage of the Crusaders-Blues game had been a record audience for SKY in Britain.
"It is pretty amazing because it is on pretty early in the mornings on the weekends back home when families are usually out and about doing stuff. But families are staying home at the moment, either forced or by choice, and I think they are loving putting the TV on and watching sport.
"I think the fact it is a quality competition adds to it. They're not just watching average rugby players, they are watching some of the best players in the world put their craft on show. I think people will be pretty sad in a couple of weeks when it all finishes and will be twiddling their thumbs wondering what they are going to do next," he said.
"I've got to keep reminding myself how fortunate I am to be involved in the professional game at the moment because it's tough in the rest of the world."
Jones said he had been impressed by Richie Mo'unga's play. But it wasn't only his play on the field it was his preparation. What he did on the field wasn't achieved purely by luck.
"He has got natural talent that he was born with, in many ways, but the way that he works at his game, it's not a fluke. All the detail he puts into understanding the opposition, where the opportunities are and then marrying them up with his strengths, that's down to him and the way that he prepares.
"I love working with him on the defensive side of the ball, I've seen some real growth in him in that aspect of his game. He's stepped up in my opinion in that area of the game. He's always been tough but he's bringing a level of technique not to his tackle work which he should be proud of and I'm sure he's going to become even better over the next two or three years," he said.
For the Crusaders it was likely they would be able to call on prop Joe Moody after family leave last week, and centre Braydon Ennor and No 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, who were back training with the side this week. It was also likely Michael Alaalatoa would also be available after responding well to the injury he suffered at the weekend.