Hurricanes and Crusaders to bring it on

The Crusaders want to give Justin Marshall a fairytale sendoff. Picture / Fotopress

The Hurricanes will call on every iota of guile, experience and aggression to win tonight's semifinal in Christchurch, says Crusaders coach Robbie Deans.

"No doubt they are looking to use their physical game to get themselves into the match early - in attack and defence," he said.

This week, All Black lock Chris Jack showed the Crusaders were ready for such an eventuality when he said they would relish a confrontational match.

The Crusaders are preparing for their seventh semifinal in eight years and with veterans such as halfback Justin Marshall and loosehead Dave Hewett on their last campaigns, they will be eager to see them into the final for a fairytale finish.

However, Deans said being used to making the playoffs might not necessarily be of benefit.

"Experience is a relative thing," Deans said. "It only has value if you take something out of it. If experience leads to a loss of excitement because you have been there and done that, then it's not much help.

"But if these players weren't excited about it, they wouldn't be there."

Most of the Crusaders players have had finals experience, they have the most productive backline in the competition, their forward pack has the ability to play the game tight or range wide and in recent weeks their defence has stiffened.

For the Hurricanes, much will depend on whether second five-eighths Tana Umaga and blindside flanker Jerry Collins can inspire the rest of their men to follow them.

Both were rested for last weekend's round-robin match between the two sides - which the Crusaders won 40-20.

It is generally accepted neither side were at full throttle last week and the forward and defensive exchanges are expected to be a lot more physical tonight.

Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper signalled his intentions by dropping openside flanker Ben Herring for the bigger, more rugged Chris Masoe to counter Crusaders captain Richie McCaw at the breakdown.

Collins' reputation, especially in defence, speaks for itself and he has formed an effective unit with No 8 Rodney So'oialo this season.

With Hewett back and Greg Somerville at tighthead, the Crusaders scrum will target a weakened Hurricanes front row and Marshall last week proved his value at assessing his options and popping passes from second phase.

With Umaga back and Ma'a Nonu on the left wing, the Hurricanes have two game-breakers who can beat defences and may target the Crusaders midfield of Aaron Mauger and Caleb Ralph.

Mauger has been suspect at times this season but last week Ralph, who replaced Casey Laulala at late notice, proved he could make his tackles stick. Both can expect a searching examination.

- NZPA

Semifinals

CRUSADERS v HURRICANES
Christchurch, 7.30 tonight

WARATAHS v BULLS
Sydney, 9.30pm tomorrow