Hurricanes enforcer Jerry Collins says the Crusaders are one-dimensional - but in a good way - typifying his love-hate relationship with the southerners ahead of what shapes as a bruising Super 14 rugby semifinal tomorrow.
All Blacks flanker Collins has been at the epicentre of several explosive incidentsin games between the sides in recent seasons but insists playing the Crusaders doesn't raise his hackles more than any other side.
However, he is hardly glowing when assessing the entertainment value of the six-time Super rugby champions.
"They play very structured, not many things come off the cuff," Collins said.
"They've got some brilliant individuals but they're playing to a game plan that's more of a structured team game.
"They probably practise five things and they do those five things well. Whereas other teams probably practise 10 things and get two of them right."
Collins will be a vital figure, particularly if Hurricanes captain Rodney So'oialo is ruled out with bruised ribs.
Wintry conditions look like turning the 17th match between these sides into another trench warfare stoush.
That suits the Collins style, although he's never managed to beat the Crusaders despite a series of even tussles in recent times, including the 13-20 loss in Wellington two months ago.
"I wouldn't say they're the favourites, we're pretty confident that we can do the job down there," he said.
"They've been here a lot of times, more times than us but we've got good enough players to win matches, we've just got to make sure we don't give them a start and just do what we do best.
"Last time we played we gave them a 10-point head start and that's what cost us."
Since that game the Hurricanes have been impressive, playing a more controlled style under coach Colin Cooper.
Collins has been satisfied although he questioned the standard of opposition dispatched before losing their final-round match to the Blues last weekend, having comfortably beaten the Cheetahs away and the Lions and Western Force at home.
The intense Blues match was a far cry from the Crusaders' disjointed 12-point loss to the Highlanders last weekend, which has induced a little soul-searching from Deans and five personnel changes.
Veteran fullback Leon MacDonald said there was no chance of a repeat tomorrow.
"You can see it in the guys. (On Monday) It was a light jog around but there was a feeling like it's business time and that's the way it should be at this time of year," he said.
"It's about turning up in a great state of mind where you just put it out there on the field."
Cooper also took no notice of how the Highlanders dominated the forward exchanges in Christchurch, believing the Crusaders were glancing ahead.
"They haven't been really mentally there (for weeks) because they'd already made the finals. Maybe that's got something to do with it," Cooper said.
"There won't be any of that worry with them this weekend because it's do or die.
"They've got the firepower down there, they've got the experience. They can just turn the switch on really."
- NZPA
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