Bulls v Crusaders
The Crusaders will tweak their game plan to suit the rarefied atmosphere when they play the Bulls at Pretoria's Loftus Versfield on Monday.
Coach Robbie Deans said yesterday that playing at altitude gave the Crusaders the option of kicking the ball deep.
"The Bulls are familiar with the conditions so they will take the game physically to us and make us feel the altitude."
Deans said the Bulls would look to make life as difficult as possible for the Crusaders, who needed to be astute in their decision-making with the ball.
"We have played fairly well away from home, apart from the odd game," Deans said.
"This time we have worked on bonds between the players.
"It will be those bonds that make a difference on the ground out there."
Deans said the Crusaders would play captain Todd Blackadder at lock. The team will be named today.
Blackadder played blindside flanker against the Hurricanes last weekend in the absence of Reuben Thorne, who was out with a minor disc prolapse in his neck.
Deans said all players in the touring squad were available for selection.
The Crusaders will be playing in front one of the most passionate South African crowds at Loftus Versfield, where two seasons ago Andrew Mehrtens gave them the infamous two-finger salute after kicking the winner in the dying minutes of the game.
Deans said: "I'm sure it's still fresh in the minds of the crowd."
- NZPA
2001 Super 12 schedule/results
New Zealand's Super 12 squads
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