The Crusaders midfielder Ryan Crotty says they aren't taking any extra confidence from their emphatic win over the Sharks ahead of their Super Rugby semi-final against the Hurricanes this weekend.
Ryan Crotty. Photo: Photosport
The defending champions weren't at their best as they beat the Sharks 40-10 in their quarter-final, while the Hurricanes turned around their recent losses with an impressive 32-31 win over the Chiefs.
Crotty says confidence doesn't just come from performance on the field.
"I think you take confidence from how you prepare, I think if we plan deep in our preparation and preview them like we have and put the time in during the week, that's where you can get confidence from, how well prepared you are."
"Saturday then rolls around and that's the easy bit, it's about doing the hard work Monday to Friday and then the fun stuff on Saturday."
Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar admits they'll need an improved performance from their quarter-final.
Owen Franks, Codie Taylor and Joe Moody. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Crusaders and Hurricanes have a win each against each other this season, but the Crusaders are on a 13 game unbeaten run.
Mooar says they can't be complacent with their form in the later part of the season.
"We realise that we need to be getting better every day and so get better or face the end of the season."
"A heck of a lot of respect for the Hurricanes, we got things right in a lot of cases against the Sharks, but we know there's a lot we got out that we need to work on and we need to get better at for the Hurricanes."
Crusaders back Seta Tamanivalu is still recovering from a head knock while prop Joe Moody is expected to return from injury.... while flanker Ardie Savea is unlikely to be available for the Hurricanes.
-RNZ
