Rugby: Southern rivals square off for another tight tussle in playoffs

The Crusaders celebrate Mitch Hunt's winning drop goal against the Highlanders. Photo/Photosport

The Crusaders need only recall the nature of their two wins over the Highlanders this season to know how tough their Super Rugby quarter-final will be.

It might be second versus seventh in terms of the play-off rankings for Saturday's clash in Christchurch, but Crusaders assistant coach Leon MacDonald stresses that will count for little.

A Highlanders side that have won 10 of their last 11 games will have a point to prove against the hosts, who scraped to the tightest of wins in both southern derbies during the regular season.

It took a late flurry of Crusaders tries to lift them to a 30-27 victory in round two in Dunedin, having trailed 27-6.

More drama followed last month, when Mitchell Hunt's astounding 47m dropped goal in the final act was enough for the home side to prevail 25-22.

MacDonald fully expects their play-off fixture to reach a similar climax.

"What a game of rugby it's going to be," he told media. "If the last two games are anything to go by, there will be a bit of drama and a cliff hanger.

"It's just about delivering now, and getting out there and doing the job. We didn't do it at the weekend, we're well aware of that."

MacDonald was referring to the final-round 31-22 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington, which left his team second in the overall standings.

Losing their perfect record in the competition didn't concern the former All Blacks fullback.

Of more concern was their lack of precision and discipline at crucial moments, two qualities that had been a hallmark of their 14-from-14 start to the season.

"We threw a lot at them, but we definitely weren't accurate enough and gave away too many penalties when we had them under pressure, and gave them easy outs," MacDonald said.

"If you put teams under pressure, you have to keep them under pressure - you can't let them off the hook. It just shows how important discipline is in everything."

Both teams will be named tomorrow, with the Crusaders expected to be at full strength.

Their All Blacks starting front row, rested against the Hurricanes, should be re-instated, while influential second-five Ryan Crotty should be back from the hamstring injury suffered early in the first test against the British & Irish Lions.