Crusaders send out warning to playoff rivals
Source: Agencies |
June 20, 2011, Monday
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CANTERBURY Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has warned his team's Super 15 playoff rivals that the New Zealanders have plenty of petrol in the tank as they ponder the next stop on the long journey they hope will bring them an eighth title.
A 44-34 victory over the Cheetahs on Saturday secured South Africa's Stormers a passage to the semifinals, meaning the Crusaders will this week host a first round playoff against the Sharks, who clinched their spot in the knockout stage by beating the champions Bulls 26-23.
"We just really feel like we're ready to unleash on any team and we haven't been able to do that and we're a little bit frustrated in the way we have been playing," Blackadder said after the 16-9 victory over the Wellington Hurricanes that secured them the New Zealand conference title.
"I think there is a lot more in the side and I feel like we're a little bit underdone. We really haven't been able to put a team to the sword. The guys are fresh and fit and if we get everything right we will be dangerous.
"We're ready to play. There's a lot more petrol in the tank yet," he added.
The Auckland Blues will host the other first-round playoff against the New South Wales Waratahs on Friday with the Queensland Reds, having secured top place in the rankings by beating the Waikato Chiefs 19-11, also taking a week off before their last-four clash.
After February's deadly Christchurch earthquake damaged their stadium, home for the Crusaders for this Saturday's clash with the Sharks will in fact be 400 kilometers away in Nelson.
The Crusaders are by now used to travelling after a season which has included trips for every "home" game, a long journey to London and a flight in a private plane just to get them to Wellington for Saturday's match after a volcanic ash cloud from Chile put another obstacle in their path.
The Crusaders beat the Sharks 44-28 in the one-off match played in London in March and Blackadder said they were likely to welcome back All Blacks center Sonny Bill Williams for Saturday evening's clash.
A 44-34 victory over the Cheetahs on Saturday secured South Africa's Stormers a passage to the semifinals, meaning the Crusaders will this week host a first round playoff against the Sharks, who clinched their spot in the knockout stage by beating the champions Bulls 26-23.
"We just really feel like we're ready to unleash on any team and we haven't been able to do that and we're a little bit frustrated in the way we have been playing," Blackadder said after the 16-9 victory over the Wellington Hurricanes that secured them the New Zealand conference title.
"I think there is a lot more in the side and I feel like we're a little bit underdone. We really haven't been able to put a team to the sword. The guys are fresh and fit and if we get everything right we will be dangerous.
"We're ready to play. There's a lot more petrol in the tank yet," he added.
The Auckland Blues will host the other first-round playoff against the New South Wales Waratahs on Friday with the Queensland Reds, having secured top place in the rankings by beating the Waikato Chiefs 19-11, also taking a week off before their last-four clash.
After February's deadly Christchurch earthquake damaged their stadium, home for the Crusaders for this Saturday's clash with the Sharks will in fact be 400 kilometers away in Nelson.
The Crusaders are by now used to travelling after a season which has included trips for every "home" game, a long journey to London and a flight in a private plane just to get them to Wellington for Saturday's match after a volcanic ash cloud from Chile put another obstacle in their path.
The Crusaders beat the Sharks 44-28 in the one-off match played in London in March and Blackadder said they were likely to welcome back All Blacks center Sonny Bill Williams for Saturday evening's clash.
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