Crusaders buoyed up after break

Coach Robbie Deans is demanding the Crusaders hit the ground at full stride in their top-of-the-table match against the Hurricanes at Wellington's Westpac Stadium tomorrow.

Coming off a bye, the Crusaders will want to bury their reputation as slow-starters after a break, and Deans knows it's important for his players to rise to the occasion this week.

He acknowledged the Crusaders had "struggled a bit" to get up after byes in the past but reckoned they'd got better over time.

"We've got more adept at managing our work and managing our focus in particular," he said yesterday. "We've put a lot of thought and effort into hitting the ground running this weekend."

Deans believes the match will be the Crusaders' toughest encounter in the competition so far, and he's wanting a team performance to match the mood of the sold-out encounter.

The Hurricanes head the points table with the Waratahs, each with 28 points from six wins and a loss. The unbeaten Crusaders are a point back on 27 after six wins.

"We want to make the most of this," Deans said. "While we've made a start to the campaign, clearly what's paramount is what happens from here."

The Hurricanes, Deans said, were no longer the competition's "leaders in inconsistency".

"They've been building a lot of belief this season, and each time you get home for another victory it just adds more and more belief within the group.

"They're making huge strides in that area, and they're a very capable side even without that belief.

"There's now a lot of All Blacks at the Hurricanes, and those players obviously bring a wealth of international experience to the ground."

Deans said the Crusaders faced a "big challenge" in fronting up to a full house at the 34,000-seat "Cake Tin" and were expecting a "slightly hostile" reception.

He expected former Canterbury coach Aussie McLean, now assistant coach of the Hurricanes, to have some "curly ones" up his sleeve with more than a little local knowledge of his side.

"We're expecting some elements of surprise. Aussie likes to bring that to his game," Deans said.

"It's just a matter of being alert and working together to suppress them."

Captain and openside flanker Richie McCaw and lock Chris Jack are back in the starting lineup after sitting on the bench for most of the match against the Cats two weeks ago.

In form halfback Andy Ellis gets his second start for the Crusaders ahead of Kevin Senio, and other changes include Caleb Ralph at centre, replacing Casey Laulala, Mose Tuaili'i at No 8 ahead of Brad Mika and Campbell Johnstone back at prop instead of Ben Franks.

Ellis said getting his second starting call-up was "awesome" and he's expecting a "massive game" against the Hurricanes.

"They're going to be pretty physical," Ellis said.

"They're a strong, tough team. Their loosies are fast to the ball, and they steal a lot of ball as well."

But Ellis thinks the Crusaders will prevail. "We're not going to back down."

- NZPA