Scott Robertson knows better than to wallop the Crusaders at training ahead of their Super Rugby title defence.
Crusaders coach Robertson is smarter than that, appreciating the value of keeping men fresh for the final against the Lions on Saturday night.
Under their new coach the Crusaders lost just one game in the regular season last year and beat the Lions 25‑17 in the final in Johannesburg.
After consecutive away defeats to the Hurricanes and Highlanders in the fourth and fifth rounds earlier this season, the Crusaders have won 14 straight and have never lost in Christchurch since Robertson has been in control.
Previously he guided Canterbury to three premiership provincial titles, and the New Zealand under‑20 team won a world crown under his watch in 2015. So he has a few ideas about how to keep men in decent shape for a final.
In the semifinal and quarterfinal games against the Hurricanes and Sharks the Crusaders made 109 and 90 tackles, respectively.
The Crusaders have not hosted a final in Christchurch since 2008 and to win this weekend will make it even sweeter.
The Crusaders will host the Lions at 7.35pm Saturday.
[Source: stuff.co]
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