Crusaders the ones under pressure, says coach McKenzie

The Crusaders may have won the most Super 12 rugby finals but Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie believes they'll also be the team under most pressure on Saturday night.

Playing in their seventh final and with four championships under their belts, the Crusaders are entitled to favouritism for the final in Christchurch.

But having lost their last two deciders McKenzie thinks they'll be feeling decidedly edgy as well.

"I know if we lose one game people call us chokers so if you lose two finals I don't know what that equates to but obviously they'd be under a bit of pressure in that respect," McKenzie said.

"In the back of their minds somewhere they'd be thinking 'you wouldn't want to go down three-nil'."

The Crusaders were blasted off the park in last year's final against the Brumbies who laid on five tries in the first 19 minutes to effectively seal the result.

In 2003 the Canterburians went down to the Blues 21-17.

And while the Waratahs can claim just their first final in 10 years of the competition, there would be more expectation on the home side, according to McKenzie.

"They've had a three-peat (1998-99-00) but that's been on the positive side so I guess (the opposite) is somewhere in the back of their mind," he said.

"I know Justin Marshall mentioned it the other day so it must be in his mind somewhere."

The Waratahs had their final training session in Sydney yesterday, with the full squad having a run in front of about 500 supporters.

Despite some minor injury concerns -- including hooker Brendan Cannon who wore an ankle brace the previous day -- the starting team is expected to be the same as the one that beat the Bulls 23-13 in the semifinal.

The squad leave for Christchurch today where McKenzie expects a verbal bashing before even getting through New Zealand customs.

"It usually starts when you arrive at the airport -- the person on passport control is the first person to tell you you are going to lose and it goes from there," he said.

McKenzie is expected to speak with South African referee Jonathan Kaplan on Friday on what he described as a "fairly important meeting".

The Waratahs may have had their share of critics -- including Reds coach Jeff Miller -- for perceived delaying tactics at the breakdown but equally McKenzie wants a sharp eye cast over the Crusaders at the tackle area.

Captain Richie McCaw is the home side's chief ball pilferer and he frequently lays the platform for victory with critical turnovers.

"We obviously looked long and hard at their game and we think there are few things there that we'll obviously talk to the referee about," McKenzie said.

"No doubt they've got things they don't like about us too.

"We are just looking a pretty fair run there so we'll see how it goes."

Meanwhile Waratahs chief executive Fraser Neill said NSW was still waiting to conduct official talks with Wendell Sailor.

The Reds winger has been linked with NSW, reports yesterday suggesting he was poised to sign next week.

"We are interested but we haven't had any formal meetings with him yet," Neill said.

"There is definite interest but that has been through his management."

As an Australian Rugby Union contracted player, Sailor's initial talks will go through the peak body before the respective state unions table official interest.

Sailor is currently in England training with the Barbarians team ahead of their matches against Scotland and England.

- AAP