Cantabs stay well grounded

Crusaders coach Robbie Deans will leave it to everyone else to speculate about his side's likely future success. He, on the other hand, will stick to his tried and trusted formula of simply taking each game as it comes.

That determination and ability to live in the present and not the future has been, and continues to be, a key ingredient of the Crusaders' success.

Which is why, by the time they ran out to play the Waratahs on Friday night, all that nonsense being drummed up about McCaw being a cheat was long forgotten.

And that is why the 17-11 win has also already been forgotten.

The fact the Crusaders have gone eight games unbeaten is not turning any heads in Christchurch. The constant comparisons being made between the current team and the one that went through the 2002 season unbeaten are being ignored.

It seems like quite a heap of expectation to so easily ignore. But Deans said the focus and motivation is being driven by the players, which is why they play with so little emotional baggage.

"These guys do it all themselves," he said. "That works for them. The motivation is intrinsic. They set the standards and that is more effective than anything that is imposed on them."

What will be imposed on the players is a tough run of games, or rather a tough travel schedule that will see them have to stay very much on top of their game to stay top of the table.

After the Cheetahs this week, the Crusaders head overseas to play the Force, Stormers and Bulls.

"The travel is pretty demanding. I think at the start of the Super 12 it was such a novel experience playing in South Africa that the big hurdle of winning out there was self-imposed.

"What makes it so hard now is that the South African teams are so resilient at home. They play in purpose-built stadiums that generate excitement and that lifts the players."

As a consequence of the difficulties that lie ahead, thoughts of rotation are being set aside. The Cheetahs in Christchurch will probably be the only game where Deans really shuffles the cards.

McCaw has a bruised shoulder that will most likely be rested to give fast-improving Johnny Leo'o a run in his favoured No 7 jersey.

Where the other changes come is uncertain, as Deans feels that his heavyweights are all in pretty good physical and mental shape.

"It ebbs and flows. I think, though, they are all pretty good. We had the bye a couple of weeks ago and everyone came back rested and stronger. We will continue to pick the team that we feel will give us best service."

While talk of an unbeaten season will continue, Deans is focused solely on first getting his side into the playoffs and then securing a home semifinal.

Statistics show that there have been precious few occasions when teams have won away from home in the knockout stages.

No doubt, too, although it would never be said publicly, the Crusaders would be keen to avoid the Waratahs until the final.

The home side were forced to defend way more than they wanted and were clinging on by the end of the game.

"They are the real deal," Deans said of the Waratahs. "We thought they were gasping after about half an hour. We thought we were going to finish them off. But they have added depth to their bench and playing resources. By the end we were gasping and really held on because of the strength of our defence."

-HERALD ON SUNDAY