At a glance
Four points behind the secondplaced Brumbies, the Crusaders know a win is required if they’re a realistic chance to finish inside the top-two.
As Robertson said: ‘‘It’s a pretty simple equation around the result, how it sets you up for the back end with only a couple of games after this.
‘‘We looked a little bit at the history [between the teams this week], some great tussles and historic games we’ve had over the years, a number of finals, some great occasions we’ve had.’’
That includes the 2002 final, when the Crusaders capped an historic unbeaten season by blowing past the Brumbies (31-13) in Christchurch. Two years later, the Brumbies got their revenge, winning the 2004 decider 47-38 in Canberra.
What: Super Rugby Pacific Who: Crusaders v Brumbies Where, when: GIO Stadium, Canberra; tomorrow, 9.45pm Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Pablo Matera, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, George Bower. Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Finlay Brewis, Tamaiti Williams, Liam Hallam-eames, Tom Christie, Te Toiroa Tahuiorangi, Braydon Ennor, Leicester Fainga’anuku.
But, despite the hype around this weekend’s match, one the Brumbies go into having won three straight games against Kiwi sides, it hasn’t been so much of a close rivalry since.
The Crusaders have won 10 straight matches against their old foe, and haven’t tasted defeat against them since an 18-16 loss in 2009.
Overall, the red-and-blacks own the head-to-head stakes with 19 wins to the Brumbies’ eight.
Yet, a year after the Crusaders needed Noah Lolesio to drag a lastditch conversion attempt wide to sneak past the Aussie frontrunners, it’s clear this year’s Brumbies are a different beast after they bullied the Chiefs in Hamilton last week.
Big, strong and abrasive up front, they’re equipped with a pack which can mix it with anyone, while fullback Tom Banks and midfielders Len Ikitau and Irae Simone provide X-factor.