Form has been an occasional feature rather than a consistent theme for the Crusaders and that has hurt them in games against those in the top six. So far they have managed a solitary victory - over the Highlanders - against sides who are sitting in qualifying finals berths on the ladder.
"With the quality and calibre of the guys we've got, we have got some big game players there, so it's about time everyone stood up and we're going to have to collectively," coach Todd Blackadder said.
The starting side will be revealed tomorrow, with Israel Dagg fit again but only seen as a reserve for his comeback match. Another question will be about Luke Romano's involvement at lock. His form has mirrored that of the Crusaders while Dominic Bird, unwanted for the opening part of the campaign, showed out strongly in his return against the Reds.
The Crusaders are in 9th place, five points adrift of the Waratahs who occupy the 6th and last qualifying position. Any slip-ups from the Crusaders in their matches against the Tahs, Hurricanes, Blues and Brumbies will push them towards missing the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
Blackadder confirmed there had been a finals feel when the squad resumed training and they had to embrace that mood rather than be daunted by it in Sydney on Saturday.
They had ditched the distraction around the Blues' attempts to woo assistant coach Tabai Matson and were ready for a must-win month on the road. It was a mini-version of the mission that faced them in 2011 when they were on the road all season after the earthquake demolished their Christchurch stadium.
Meanwhile, the Waratahs are feeling they may have exhausted their luck last round against the Sharks.
"Wherever the Crusaders sit on the ladder with four games to go, I don't think it really matters to them," halfback Nick Phipps told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"They are a phenomenal team ... they are quite easy to turn out the back end of the year with another 20 points. For us we have to go into this weekend with another grand final mentality ... just like last year it's going to go down to the wire, no doubt.
"We were lucky enough to get the rub on them last year, but you can't really say we would have any further opportunities this year compared to them. It's going to be a massive game."
Victory will push the Tahs ahead of the bye-bound Brumbies in their conference while a win for the Crusaders will keep them in the scrap for the finals.
- Wynne Gray of the New Zealand Herald
