Hufty,
Fairish point, but if one touches down at a speed which is sufficient for ones rudder to work in an excessive crosswind, when one slows down ones wheels will be in contact with the runway, and therefore the plane will not be susceptible to drift in the wind as it would if it was in the air.
Touching down and settling on the rw at say 90kts rather than 65 (in C172) might knacker the landing gear but would allow the rudder to work enough to keep you straight.