Bring it on, McKenzie challenges Crusaders

Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie has dared the Crusaders to try and monster his team's scrum as both packs eyeball each other ahead of the Super 12 final in Christchurch tomorrow night.

In a final that Crusaders coach Robbie Deans predicts will have the intensity of a test match, the battle of the forward packs throws up all kinds of permutations.

On recent form the Crusaders' scrum has the edge, the Waratahs' lineout is more consistent, and based on last weekend's 47-7 demolition of the Hurricanes, the Crusaders may be more adept at the breakdown.

But that could all go out the window in the heat of a final, something the heavily favoured Crusaders are experiencing for the seventh time against a Waratahs side in virgin territory.

McKenzie, a former Wallabies prop, started the ball rolling by inviting the Crusaders eight to have a go at scrum time.

"My guess is that they will target our scrum. We had a couple of lazy scrums against them last time and I think they will have a crack," McKenzie said after naming an unchanged side yesterday.

"They've got an All Blacks forward pack so they'll back themselves to have a crack there.

"We're happy for that to happen. We were inconsistent earlier in the year but we're more happy with our recent form."

That was proven last weekend when, against predictions, the Waratahs' scrum held firm against the giant Bulls from South Africa on the way to a 23-13 win.

Crusaders captain Richie McCaw -- also leading an unchanged starting 15 -- labelled the scrum as a key phase tomorrow night, but he wasn't as confident as before.

"We've always looked at their scrum, but last weekend they went pretty well against a big Bulls team. I can't see a lot of weak areas otherwise."

A week ago, the Crusaders' scrum was rock solid, with All Blacks tighthead Greg Somerville demolishing his Hurricanes opposite Tony Penn.

All Blacks scrum guru Mike Cron was present at their final training session yesterday to put the finishing touches on Crusaders assistant coach Vern Cotter's work.

Meanwhile, the lineouts have been the biggest headache for the Crusaders, especially a fortnight ago in the round robin match against the Hurricanes when hooker Corey Flynn barely hit a jumper.

Things improved in the semifinal, but it is still an area in which the Waratahs will fancy their chances.

"We've put a lot of work into the lineouts. We were a bit anxious two weeks ago, so we've just got to back ourselves that it is good enough. You can't do a lot about it now," McCaw said.

"We didn't go so well first time around against them. We just have to back ourselves this time."

That leaves the battle of the breakdown, with world class flankers McCaw and Phil Waugh having a huge part to play in the contentious tackled ball area.

- NZPA