Rugby: Blackadder bullish about prospects

The Crusaders believe they overcame the biggest hurdle of their campaign last night by beating the Blues.

The defending champions are now brimming with confidence. And should the Bulls have done them a favour earlier this morning, the Crusaders will be the side no one wants to face.

Coach Todd Blackadder said he felt his side had a great chance of winning a semifinal, regardless of where it was played.

Having been involved in three successful campaigns as a player, Blackadder knows that the pressure of finals football is entirely different.

"We really thought tonight was our biggest hurdle," said Blackadder. "There is a big difference in pressure when you must win. When you play against a team that has nothing to lose and you get a hard-fought win, it gives you a psychological boost.

"I think we have a great chance," he said, should the Crusaders make it through.

While the Crusaders have not been the expansive side of old and have rarely destroyed opponents this season, they have been mighty hard to beat and boast the best defensive record in the competition.

They have been the kings of grind. They know how to win ugly and in finals football, that is a gift.

"People talk about attack but in these really tight games, it is defence that wins games. We have defended really well all season and I think we still have a little more to give."

Blues coach Pat Lam put it in a nutshell when he said: "They are the Crusaders." That's all that needed to be said.

Everyone knows what they have achieved and how often they have defied the odds.

Having played for the franchise himself, Lam knows first-hand what they are all about and how much he would love for his Blues side to have some of what they have got.

The ever-positive Lam was again singing the praises of his side for the way they dug in and kept themselves in the contest.

He even quipped that had his side defended as they did last night, they might have won a few more games throughout the campaign.

He laughed but you could sense had he not laughed, he would have cried.