Experience counts for Crusaders says Marshall

Justin Marshall. Herald file picture

Justin Marshall admits the Crusaders could have a key edge over the Hurricanes in experience in Friday night's Super 12 rugby semifinal in Christchurch.

Their playing 22 will be loaded with All Blacks and players who have been through the rigours of Super 12 play-off rugby.

The Crusaders have won six matches from as many semifinal appearances.

"Experience does help and we have that core group of players who have been there and done it in the Super 12 and they give self-belief to the others," Marshall told The Dominion Post.

Hurricanes captain Tana Umaga has played in two Super 12 semifinals and is a vastly experienced All Black.

However, for many of his teammates this will be only their second play-off match.

Marshall admits that's a potential advantage the Crusaders have to exploit.

But the veteran halfback is wary of what he describes as a "more balanced" Hurricanes team that have shed their inconsistent tag; and is conscious the impact Umaga will have on his players at Jade Stadium after he was rested in last Friday's 20-40 loss to the Crusaders.

"Just his being on the field inspires people," Marshall said of his long-time All Blacks teammate.

"It's not always what he says, or even what he does that lifts you, it's just his being there."

Marshall said the return of Umaga, Jerry Collins and Andrew Hore for the Hurricanes, and the presence of Dave Hewett, Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw in the Crusaders starting 15 would made last week's result even more irrelevant.

"We all know that in the past the Hurricanes have been brilliant one week and quite inconsistent the next," Marshall said.

"We've all had our moments this year where we haven't performed but in general they've not had the up-and-down roller-coaster ride they used to.

"They're more balanced and that makes them more dangerous. We know they're very capable of beating us."

- nzpa