CHRISTCHURCH - Norm Berryman thrives on pressure-cooker rugby within a white-hot cauldron.
The big Northland centre will have conditions to suit when the Canterbury Crusaders tackle the Highlanders at Jade Stadium tonight.
The South Island derby is always one of the most eagerly awaited and competitive games in the Super 12 series. It is even more so this year with both teams unbeaten and still moving comfortably down the winning trail.
Although the coaches talk about the match as being just another game, the winning team will have taken a giant step towards their chief goal - making the semifinals.
Berryman, the Crusaders' leading Super 12 try-scorer with 14, has fully recovered from a knee injury which baffled the experts. He has not played since injuring the knee against the Auckland Blues three weeks ago.
"It stumped the medical world," Berryman said. "They don't actually know what it was, but they said rest was needed and I'm grateful to [Crusaders coach] Robbie Deans for the time off."
Although Berryman is busting to return to the midfield, he has not been a frustrated spectator.
"I'm just happy that we are winning. I don't mind who's out there just as long as we're winning and I'm part of it."
The knowledge of a sell-out 32,000 crowd has Berryman buoyant.
"It's the second home game for the boys and we can't wait to get out there before a packed crowd," he said.
Former All Black Mark Mayerhofler was dropped to make way for Berryman and he knows he has to maintain high standards.
"There's nothing better than healthy competition, especially in a team like this one. The competition is pushing everyone to get better and better and that has to be good for the team."
Berryman believes the Highlanders - like the Crusaders - have no obvious weaknesses.
"They're strong across the board and there are some great match-ups. We're two teams who have played each other a lot and come out pretty even.
"This game is a biggie. One of the best things about it is you can't be sure who is going to win - it's a good gamble," Berryman said.
The Highlanders hold a slight upperhand against the Crusaders, having won three of their previous five contests.
But the Crusaders won the one that mattered most, the classic that was last year's Super 12 final at Carisbrook.
- NZPA
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