News

McCaw happy with intensity

May 24 2008

Crusaders captain Richie McCaw admitted his side had a different feel to it as they brushed aside the Hurricanes 33-22 to book their place in the 2008 Super 14 Final.

Having lost to the Highlanders 26-14 last weekend the Crusaders played with a new found intensity and made light work of the Hurricanes, despite letting two late tries in to give the score a deceiving look.

McCaw said it was not too hard for the side to turn itself around, especially given that a defeat would have meant an early exit for departing coach Robbie Deans.

"A lot of guys had been in this situation of play off footie before so we knew what was required," he told Sportal.

"But you get a bit nervous about whether it is going to happen and because of that you prepare well and there is just a bit of edge at training."

It was still necessary for the players to remind themselves that success just wasn't going to happen either.

Deans, who ends his association with the side after next week's final before taking on the Australia coaching position said play-off rugby was different.

"You're conscious that there will be one team with nothing to do at the end of it," Deans said.

Deans said the Hurricanes had created some grief for teams and the Crusaders always knew there was going to be an extra level of intensity about the game.

"First and foremost you have got to be up for it physically and pretty well versed in what you think might be thrown at you so there is no surprises," he added.

"And the guys, for the greater part, handled what was thrown at them.

"Motivation is not something you put in externally."

McCaw said there had been a genuine desire to take the effort to the Hurricanes pack.

"If you allow their tight five to get on top of you, with the ball carriers they have got, Masoe, Collins, Nonu, they are pretty hard to stop," admitted McCaw.

"We realise that every time against them you have got to stop them there."