Andy Ellis pumped up for Final
May 28 2008
Crusaders scrum-half Andrew Ellis says his team will have no problems in finding the motivation to lift their battered bodies one more time for the Super 14 final against the Waratahs in Christchurch on Saturday.
The Crusaders' 33-22 semi-final win over the Hurricanes last weekend might have been a rough and tumble affair but Ellis and his team-mates looked remarkably fresh and keen at training early this week.
"In finals week, there's no problem in picking it up and getting excited," Ellis told the NZPA.
"It's an intense feeling. Everyone's really excited about the challenge ahead," the 24-year-old who debuted for the Crusaders in 2006 said.
"We've worked so hard so far and this is the pinnacle, so we're really excited and just looking forward to it."
The match will be Head Coach Robbie Deans' last at the helm of the six-time champions before taking over as Wallabies head honcho and with stalwarts Reuben Thorne and Caleb Ralph leaving for twilight professional careers in Japan, a seventh Super rugby title would make a fitting team send-off.
But while Ellis agrees, he said it has not been a topic of conversation in the camp.
"It's not something we talk about...it's probably something to worry about more so after the match," he said.
The scrum-half is expecting the Waratahs to give the home side on Saturday on real run for their money after they toppled the Sharks comfortably 28-13 in Sydney on Saturday.
"They have a strong side and they're strong throughout," said Ellis.
"They've got good inside backs and a strong forward pack, obviously, and good finishers out wide.
"So it's going to be a really good challenge."
Ellis said the Crusaders would be spending "a bit more time on the computer terminal" this week analysing the Sydneysiders' playing style and formulating a viable game plan.
Physically, Deans has provided a lighter workload for his squad in training runs this week, noting there's isn't much point in pushing players at this stage of the competition.
"We're building into it easy," said Ellis.
"We're not doing anything too silly, not too much full-on training or weights or anything like that.
"Physically, everyone's really ready and in the best condition they could be in.
"It's more of a mental approach now, building slowly for the weekend and being ready to fire on Saturday night."