Rugby: Blackadder - We'll rattle Highlanders' cage

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder. Photo / Getty Images

The Crusaders have pinpointed the breakdowns as a key to the outcome of their top-of-the-table clash against the Highlanders.

Even without All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, the Crusaders have fielded a potent loose forward combination of All Blacks Kieran Read and George Whitelock, and emerging openside flanker Matt Todd.

And they have a healthy respect for their Highlanders counterparts.

Adam Thomson has been in rampaging form and No 8 Nasi Manu and Alando Soakai have been nearly as good.

The Highlanders have a point advantage over the Crusaders after four rounds in the race to finish top of the New Zealand conference ladder, and as well as the traditional southern derby rivalry, the match will be the 200th game of Super rugby for the Crusaders.

"The Highlanders are worthy conference leaders," said Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder.

"They have proven to be a very good side and did a marvellous job on the road in South Africa playing probably the two toughest teams away so they earned a lot of respect.

"It's going to be a tight, tough game as southern derbies always are, and I think they'll have a lot of confidence, but we are going down there to rattle the cage a bit.

"They've got a tough attitude installed in them this year and the breakdown is something they've really focused on and they've got a lot of rewards there.

"They've kept their ball which has helped their continuity and they're playing smart rugby. If you take them lightly you'll come second."

Matt Todd, a stand-out filling in for the injured McCaw, said he had a good understanding with captain Read and Whitelock, and felt they had been working as a unit.

"But the Highlanders have a very good loose trio themselves and obviously this week will be a big test, especially at the breakdowns which has been one of their real strengths.

"We know that not only we as loose forwards but as a team we need to front there and it's certainly been a big focus for us this week."

The Crusaders have made two changes to the team which humbled the Brumbies 52-10 last Friday.

Loose-head prop Wyatt Crockett will start off the bench for the first time.

All Blacks lock Brad Thorn slots back in the second row ahead of Chris Jack, who played his 100th match for the Crusaders last week.

Said Blackadder: "The worst part of my week is having to stand one of them down. Props just absolutely hate it, but we did it last year and it worked well. They'll get the same amount of game time and they have got to work well as a unit. All have been playing well and I think Wyatt Crockett has been the form prop of the campaign so far."

Back from injury and in the reserves are All Blacks wing Zac Guildford and halfback Kahn Fotuali'i.

The Crusaders have won 12 of 18 matches between the sides, but the Highlanders have won two of the last three, including a 26-14 win in Christchurch in 2008 when the Crusaders led the table and the Highlanders were near the bottom.

- NZPA