De Bruin – ‘Crusaders in a different class’

Lions assistant coach Swys De Bruin believes that the Crusaders are the best organised and most clinical team in the competition.

Current Lions assistant coach and soon to be head coach De Bruin, who will replace Johan Ackermann when he departs for England to coach Gloucester, was tasked with assessing what makes the Crusaders the best team in the history of Super Rugby.

Over 21 years of Super Rugby, the Crusaders have won seven titles and have been runners up four times.

He believes that The Crusaders are in a different class to the other New Zealand Super Rugby teams.

"When you do the analysis on the Crusaders you realise why they have been such a strong team over the years. They're just so much more clinical than the other teams. They hang on to the ball for long periods, they prize that possession, and they really work hard for each other," De Bruin told SuperSport.

"They're an effort team with an excellent defensive system, run by their head coach (Scott Robertson), so in a way they are the most conservative of the New Zealand sides.

"The other teams will give you a few opportunities, like the Hurricanes did last weekend, because of they way they play, but not the Crusaders…you've got to work for your chances," he said.

De Bruin added that hosting the final feels almost unbelievable and that his charges were eager to play.

"Crucially though they've been in this position a few times now and they know what to expect.

"They've really matured as a group over the last five years, so the good thing is everything we do this week is like any other week. The only difference is we don't have to travel…and a big home crowd awaits us."

De Bruin also stated that the Lions were focussing on the 'less is more' approach throughout the build-up week because not much more could be done at such a late stage.

"The key is to focus on what needs to be done over 80 minutes, that's all that matters. And we've told the players to enjoy every moment this week.

"For game day, the message will be simple…never stop playing. We saw last weekend how crucial every minute is. A lot can happen in 10 minutes," he concluded.