Crusaders coach Rob Penney says anyone claiming they will "roll" through the Blues in Saturday's qualifying final is underestimating the Auckland based side.
The defending champions have won their last three games (against the Blues, Chiefs and Hurricanes), while the Blues enter the playoffs on the back of three straight defeats.
Despite the odds being against the visitors, Penney insists it will be a tough match.
Penney believes the Blues are still the Crusaders biggest rivals and he is expecting the visitors to be at their best on Saturday.
He says Blues are the arch enemy, to a large degree, and that they will be a threat.
The Crusaders have never lost a playoff game at home, winning 32 in a row, and are favourites to beat the Blues at a sold out Te Kaha Stadium and progress to the semi-finals.
That record is incredibly impressive, but Penney says protecting that unbeaten streak hasn't played much of a role in the Crusaders buildup to Saturday's match.
The Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Final fixtures have been confirmed with the defending champions, the Crusaders, hosting the Blues in Christchurch at 4.35pm Saturday.
The table-topping Hurricanes will kick off the Finals Series when they take on the ACT Brumbies at Hnry Stadium at 7.05pm Friday.
The Chiefs will wrap up the Qualifying Finals with a Saturday night showdown against the Queensland Reds at 7.05pm at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.
The three winning teams in the Qualifying Finals will progress to the semi-finals along with the highest-ranked losing team (the 'lucky loser').
In a variation from last season, this year the 'lucky loser' will be relegated to the lowest seeding for the semi-finals and, as such, will forego any chance to host the semi-finals or the Grand Final, should they progress.
Source: RNZ
