Ellis Park, where the Crusaders face the Lions in the Super Rugby final tomorrow morning is more than 1700m above sea level, an elevation which can take a serious toll on some athletes.
But the Crusaders, who have it written in their strategic plan that a season is a failure if it doesn't finish with a championship victory, are backing mental strength to prevail over tired legs and heaving lungs.
It will take a clever game strategy and accurate execution from their players, but the first step to victory is ruling out any potential excuses and hooker Codie Taylor said one of those messages was delivered by team doctor Martin Swan, who was born in South Africa.
Taylor says their doctor has told them that physiologically the high altitude doesn't affect them it's more of a mindset.
Taylor, an All Black who has re‑signed with the Crusaders and New Zealand Rugby until 2021, added that when they play at Bloemfontein it's pretty tough going, the mouth dries up but they can't do much about it apart from drinking more water.
The Lions will take on Crusaders at 2am tomorrow morning in the Super Rugby final.
Source: NZ Herald
