Dew blamed for scrappy rugby

The players dread it, the fans curse it and last year Graham Henry went as far as to label it the "whispering death".

It is the dew and there is nothing anyone can do to prevent it.

Often the bane of rugby players in New Zealand, the moist conditions can play havoc with teams' plans to play expansive rugby as handling and passing become more difficult during night games.

What role it plays in tonight's match between the Crusaders and Sharks at Jade Stadium remains to be seen, but it may force the teams to curb their natural instincts in the first half as they get to grips with the wet, slippery ball.

After last Saturday night's scrappy 40-36 win over the Cats, the Crusaders realised their previous five games had been in dry conditions.

All Blacks coach Henry may have been a little too dramatic in labelling the New Zealand dew a "whispering death" last June but he got his point across.

It means players have to concentrate that much harder when doing the basics.

The Crusaders however are expected to win well against the lowly Sharks.

They have scored 41 tries in the competition and the Sharks 16 -- just six more than right wing Rico Gear's tally.

"We are looking for a better effort this week, for sure, and a big part of that will be mental," Crusaders coach Robbie Deans said.

"I am sure there was also a physical element (last weekend) and whether you like it or not there are some realities in travel.

"Mentally you may want to perform but physically you're just not there and I think there was an element of that last weekend.

"But there are no excuses this week, the guys are fresh and back in their sleeping habits."

- nzpa