Momentum gives Super 14 finalists a lift

The Crusaders and Hurricanes both believe momentum is on their side and as they enter tonight's Super 14 rugby final, one of the most anticipated matches on New Zealand soil in recent years.

The calibre of players who will run onto Jade Stadium and the style they have produced for much of the last four months gives this match greater lustre than many test matches.

Five-time Super 12 champions the Crusaders will start solid favourites but the Hurricanes are banking on the confidence injection of two tight wins over the New South Wales Waratahs to lift them to another level.

"It's a positive. The Waratahs are an outstanding team and we beat them twice, over there and here," coach Colin Cooper said.

"This time it's All Black on All Black, it's mate on mate, actually everywhere right through the 15. That builds for an exciting final."

Cooper's counterpart Robbie Deans said his side had hit their best form in recent weeks, a much-needed reaction to their shock draw with the Western Force last month followed by a loss to the lowly Stormers.

"While you don't want to hit a speed bump, it was probably better it happened when it did than later.

"We got a response to that and the guys have sustained their efforts since then.

"We're up against a team who have also played consistently and have been building their resolve and getting home in tight games."

Deans noted that Cooper said in the first week of the competition in February that this was the year for the Hurricanes to deliver.

However, Deans doubted they would target star Crusaders first five-eighth Daniel Carter as some critics had suggested in a bid to try and shut down the world class playmaker.

"It's a team contest so if they look to overload Dan, it may present opportunities elsewhere. He's pretty fast of thought and action so it's just a matter of his teammates providing him with options and taking the right ones," Deans said.

Most of the Hurricanes this week have spoken about the need to take every opportunity that comes there way as there may not be many in a match expected to be played in cold, wintry conditions.

Experienced lock Paul Tito said his side couldn't afford to "die wondering".

"This is our first time to a final and it is a big occasion so they most probably have the upper hand on us. But we're very keen and we've hopefully improved over the last three or four games," Tito said.

"There will be a lot of pressure on and there most probably will be a bit of niggle but that's expected in a final like this."

Winger Lome Fa'atau, who is the competition's leading tryscorer with 10, said mental readiness would be most important when take to a ground where the Crusaders haven't lost for 27 months.

"We'll give them the respect they deserve but we have to play our game and not theirs. We're only the newcomers and in a way it's good for us," Fa'atau said.

"The whole of Wellington would love to win this one. We've been down there a few times and haven't come away with the big 'W'."

Opposition right winger Rico Gear said the Hurricanes were more responsible opponents than in recent years.

Last year the Crusaders hammered them 47-7 in the semifinals but their round-robin encounter this season saw that scoreline reduced significantly, to 20-11.

"They're making better decisions," Gear said.

"In the past they were probably a bit willy-nilly with the ball and had a high error rate I guess. They've got a lot of experience now, they (the players) have been there a few years now."

Teams:

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Casey Laulala, Aaron Mauger, Scott Hamilton, Daniel Carter, Kevin Senio, Mose Tuiali'i, Richie McCaw (captain), Reuben Thorne, Ross Filipo, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Caleb Ralph, Cameron McIntyre, Stephen Brett, Tanerau Latimer, Johnny Leo'o, Campbell Johnstone, Tone Kopelani.

Hurricanes: Isaia Toeava, Lome Fa'atau, Ma'a Nonu, Tana Umaga, Shannon Paku, David Holwell, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo (captain), Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Paul Tito, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, John Schwalger.

Reserves: Tamati Ellison, Jimmy Gopperth, Brendan Haami, Thomas Waldrom, Luke Andrews, Joe McDonnell, Luke Mahoney.

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa).

Kickoff: 7.35pm.

- NZPA