Rugby: Side's game clicking but tackling has to improve

Scott McLeod.
Scott McLeod.
The Crusaders have won eight in a row and sit top of the table but the Highlanders should go into this Friday night's derby match with some degree of confidence.

The side though knows it must put on a better tackling display if it wants to come out on top on Friday night.

Assistant coach Scott McLeod said the Crusaders were putting on polished performances and their game was coming together well.

"They have got a roll-on. Their set piece is really humming and they are able to play the game at speed, stretch the opposition, and run teams around,'' he said.

"They play an offloading game that gives everyone an opportunity.

"We just have to play our game, just getting to the level we want to.

"To negate their game and stop them. We are just after a good performance each week.''

"I know it is cliche but that is what we are after. We just want to put on a good performance.''

McLeod said the side was thrilled with its 26-13 win over the Chiefs.

"When you play quality like that and get a result you are very, very happy. We upped the performance.

"In our execution we were able to put teams under pressure for a longer period and that worked its way into points.

"But we still missed 28 tackles and we can't afford [that against] quality opposition like the Crusaders ... or they'll score tries against us.''

The game has all the hallmarks of a another ferocious southern derby although McLeod said the team did not spend a lot of time thinking about the scale of the match.

"It is not something we focus on or talk about to the team. But I think the players feel it.

"The public feel it and in talking to family and friends around the place so they know it is a derby.''

There were ways to not get players too excited about a big match.

"If you train smart early in the week, and give the players plans and understanding that.''

The Chiefs were peppered by the high ball from the Highlanders and those tactics may be returned on Friday night.

"As part of our game we put the ball up and down and in behind and feed off that pressure.

"If the Crusaders offer that same space then we may look at that.''

The high ball was a matter of contention and players' safety was the underlying factor when players were contesting the ball from a kick.

"As long as we can get into that space and win that space and actually catch that ball then we are in a safer space. If we can't, we probably need to make a decision of staying down and doing a better job.

"The ref's attitude is around safety and that is something we totally agree with.''

McLeod confirmed halfback Josh Renton had picked up a nasty knee injury in a club game last Saturday and his future looked bleak.

Medical staff were still assessing the injury but it did not look good.

Renton has injured his anterior cruciate ligament and could be out for the rest of the season.

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