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DURBAN - If the Bulls are allowed to bully then an uncanny run of eight Crusaders Super 14 rugby semifinal wins will grind to a halt in Pretoria tomorrow morning (NZT) says visiting captain Richie McCaw.
The defending champion Crusaders strolled around an empty Loftus Versfeld soon after
arriving from their Durban training base today, well aware of the hostile reception that will greet them tomorrow.
Silencing the blue masses will be an enormous challenge for McCaw's team, as the Stormers, Blues and Queensland Reds have all discovered in recent weeks, after being put through the Pretoria masher.
The Bulls have taken on an awesome appearance in scoring 212 points to 41 over the past month, prompting the Crusaders to coolly break down where the hosts' strengths lie.
Planning victory was one thing but carrying out the plan quite another, McCaw said.
"In the last couple of weeks the Bulls have had it pretty much their own way. They've done it because the big boys have laid the platform and allowed all the rest of the team to run off it," he said.
"The times we've come unstuck against them are the times we've let them have it on their terms up front.
"It's very similar to what the Chiefs did to us last week (winning 30-24), we wrestled with their big guys they got across the advantage line and, hell, it's pretty hard to stop after that.
"When we've done well is when we've managed to stop it."
Experienced All Blacks lock Chris Jack, potentially playing his final Super 14 mat ch before leaving for England, put it more succinctly than his skipper.
"You know exactly what's going to happen and either you front or you don't. If you don't you're going to get a hiding," Jack said.
The battle of the trenches will be worth witnessing on its own but Crusaders winger Rico Gear expected the game to open up fairly quickly.
Twelve of the 13 matches between the two sides have seen the winners clear 30 points.
"The ground and the occasion, there's every reason to throw it around and score a lot of points," said Gear, who believed his team would rediscover their attacking rhythm after losses to the ACT Brumbies and Chiefs.
"Before those losses we were actually going really well. Maybe we went a little bit defensive and had a few injuries to key players. Everyone's back now so no excuses."
Gear locks horns with Bryan Habana, with both international speedsters having crossed for seven tries this year.
The Crusaders had prepared themselves for the unique challenge of defending the lightning-quick Springboks winger and how to get around his up-and-in "blindspot" defence.
Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer believed his side could handle the expectations which had grown to fever pitch this week.
"The Crusaders are a good side, that's why they have been champions over the last few seasons," he said.
"But I think our mental approach will be the key. This side is like charcoal. The more pressure the harder they become...like diamonds."
Presuming Bulls halfback Fourie du Preez is ruled out with his shoulder injury, both teams will feature seven changes from their clash two months ago, won 32-10 by the Crusaders against lethargic opponents in Christchurch.
The Crusaders led that match 32-3 after 50 minutes and it was notable the Bulls won the final half-hour 7-0 after lock and captain Victor Matfield was introduced off the reserve bench.
Matfield is a crucial figure with his ability to disrupt a Crusaders lineout that has stuttered of late.
The Bulls captain also delivered the most telling quote of the week ahead of a game which shapes as a classic at one of the world's most intimidating venues.
"With this crowd behind you it's very difficult to lose," he said.
- NZPA