Rugby: Scott Robertson sticks with winning formula for Crusaders

Bryn Hall of the Crusaders. Photo / Getty

It is likely to be a case same players, same approach for the Crusaders in their semifinal against the Chiefs on Saturday, with Scott Robertson sticking with the 23 who beat the Highlanders last weekend and the Christchurch weather expected to be just as formidable.

"The wetter the better," Crusaders coach Robertson said today after his side trained in the wet and cold at their Rugby Park headquarters.

"Embrace it and enjoy it," he added. "Tactically we were good last week. That gave us a lot of belief. We've had a look at how we can be better - making a few slight adjustments depending on what the Chiefs throw at us."

The heavy and cold conditions expected for kick-off - the overnight temperature for Saturday has been forecast at -3 - could make life difficult for a Chiefs team who will likely want to use the ball more than the Crusaders.

Both sides will employ a kicking and rush defence strategy and while the Chiefs' scrum performed well in the team's quarter-final victory over the Stormers in Cape Town, the Crusaders will hope for gains here too.

The Crusaders were more accurate than the Highlanders in the constant rain last weekend and that quarter-final victory will likely be the blueprint again for Robertson.

An insight into Robertson's thinking has been the selection of former Blues halfback Bryn Hall at halfback. Hall's kicking game was far better than that of All Black Aaron Smith's last weekend and so he gets the chance to start again to fulfil what is likely to be a similar role ahead of close rival Mitchell Drummond.

"They've got some great athletes and individuals who make a lot of line breaks," Robertson said of the Chiefs. "They've got a good tactical game. They've obviously got a world class 10 in [Aaron] Cruden and a pretty effervescent fullback in young Damian McKenzie.

"Just because they've had to travel back won't change their mindset. They could turn up and climb into us as they have in years gone by.

"We got off the plane and six days later beat the Hurricanes 20-12 in a tough old battle at home. It can be done, of course it can be done. If you start thinking you're getting benefits because a team has travelled you're taking your eye off what's in front of you."

Robertson confirmed the Crusaders this season in his first year in charge had changed their defensive structure slightly. As has become the trend, they now employ a rush defence too, a strategy which shut the Highlanders out and one which put a lot of pressure on Beauden Barrett during that victory over the Hurricanes in May.

"They're a great defensive side - probably a bit like us, a good line-speeding team," Robertson said. "The New Zealand teams this season have probably ramped up their defence in general - they've been much more aggressive. We've changed the way we've defended as well. We understand it's hard to play against it if you get it right."

Crusaders team to play the Chiefs in their semifinal at AMI Stadium on Saturday, kick-off 7.35pm is: David Havili, Israel Dagg, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Seta Tamanivalu, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.

Reserves: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Mike Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, George Bridge.