Rugby: Apprentice learnt lesson well

Tanerau Latimer. Photo / Getty Images

A year with the Crusaders taught Tanerau Latimer one vital thing about finals football. He had it at the forefront of his mind all last week and it will stay there until Sunday.

"Everything remains the same," said the Chiefs openside. "No one puts any emphasis on this being a different game. The preparation is the same as always - you just tick all the boxes as you do for any other game."

Latimer has lived by the mantra he absorbed when drafted to the Crusaders in 2006. He was only 19 when he went to Christchurch in what was a genuine apprenticeship. He worked in the shadow of the greatest number seven of them all - Richie McCaw.

His gametime was limited but when let loose, Latimer was a bundle of energy, scoring two tries on debut. He didn't play in the finals but he still took plenty out of it.

When the Chiefs were back in the changing room after their 14-10 victory against the Hurricanes, Latimer was making sure none of his team-mates worried much about who they would play in the final. That lack of concern for the opponent is another Crusaders trick.

"We have got to be excited by either situation," he said of playing either the Bulls in Pretoria or the Crusaders in Hamilton.

"Our goal was to make the semifinal and we did that. Then it was to make the final and we did that. We have to get ourselves up for one more game. It's no fuss really getting on a plane to South Africa."

Latimer says he is in great shape physically and mentally.

Deep down, he would rather play the Crusaders and not just because of the home advantage. Having been the apprentice in 2006, he'd love the chance to show the master what he has learnt.