KEY POINTS:
Crusaders coach Robbie Deans is seeking accuracy and commitment in the tackle area as they attempt to maintain their unbeaten Super 14 rugby record against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday night.
Deans expects a torrid time from a formidable Hurricanes lineup that will be seeking their fifth consecutive win after a losing start to the Waratahs in their opening match in Sydney last month.
Coming off the bye after dishing out a record 33-15 home defeat to the Brumbies in Canberra two weeks ago, the Hurricanes will prove a difficult assignment in their seventh round match and Deans was quick to acknowledge that fact.
"It's going to be a major challenge - the toughest we've had to date," he said as the Crusaders completed training today at their Rugby Park headquarters here.
"We've had some pretty good games against these blokes over the years and this will be another, I'm sure," he said.
Dangers for the Crusaders, he said, lay in both the Hurricanes' powerful forward pack and their mobile backline.
"Obviously they've got a great ability to finish and to create line breaks," Deans said.
"A big part of our focus will be being accurate in the tackle, because they tend to sting you if you give them that sort of leeway."
All Black Leon MacDonald is back at fullback in the only change to the Crusaders' lineup that trounced the Waratahs 34-7 last Friday.
The 30-year-old's return drops Caleb Ralph to the reserves, replacing midfield back Hamish Gard.
Scott Hamilton returns to the left wing after deputising at fullback last week, while Kade Poki comes back to the right wing.
Deans said MacDonald had been nursing a "couple of bumps" when he was withdrawn from the named side last week to freshen.
"Common sense demanded that we didn't risk him," Deans said.
"He's had a couple of days to freshen up now though, and had run strongly at training this week, so he's ready to go again. The break he's been able to have now will be good for him in the long run."
The Crusaders visit to Wellington's Westpac Stadium this week marks their first encounter with a fellow New Zealand side this competition.
Crusaders
Leon MacDonald, Scott Hamilton, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, Kade Poki, Daniel Carter, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuiali'i, Richard McCaw (captain), Kieran Read, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks.
Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Paterson, Nasi Manu, Kahn Fotuali'i, Caleb Ralph, Sean Maitland.
- NZPA
