Super Rugby Qualifiers - Crusaders v Reds
Test-like battle expected in Christchurch
July 20, 2013
The Crusaders' Dan Carter runs the ball at the Waratahs, Crusaders v New South Wales Waratahs, Super Rugby, AMI Stadium, Christchurch, May 31, 2013
Crusaders fly-half Dan Carter's clash with Quade Cooper is one of many highlights expected in Christchurch © Getty Images
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Veteran hooker Corey Flynn admits Queensland's 2011 Super Rugby success still pains the Crusaders and they're bracing for a Reds side that can rock their Christchurch fortress.

Despite the Crusaders' red-hot form and favouritism at a packed-out AMI Stadium, Flynn is wary about what the underdone Queenslanders can produce in their qualifying final. The Reds haven't won in Christchurch for 14 years but they've succeeded in three of their past four meetings and believe the seven-time champions bring out their best.

That was certainly true in 2011 when Queensland upset the Crusaders 17-16 with a last-minute penalty goal, and also triumphed 18-13 with a late Will Genia try in the competition decider.

Although the Reds no longer have game-breaking Wallabies Scott Higginbotham and Digby Ioane (shoulder), Flynn believed the firepower remained.

"They have some great players in that team and we're not taking them for granted," the former All Blacks rake told AAP. "In recent times they have had the wood on us and we were lucky enough to get over them last year (15-11)."

"You've got guys in that Reds team who can score from anywhere on the field. If Quade (Cooper) decides to run at us and he has some space then good luck to you," Flynn said. "Likewise with DC (Dan Carter). There's pretty special players across the board for both teams. And it does bring that Test match intensity."

That 2011 final still grates with almost all Cantabrians after they were forced to play on the road all season after the Christchurch earthquake reduced their home stadium to a rubble.

The Crusaders produced some of the best rugby seen in the competition's history but weren't helped by the constant travel which continued in the finals when they travelled from Cape Town to Brisbane for the decider.

"The boys that were involved will look back on (the achievement with fondness) in years to come, but it's still a little bit raw and a wee pea under the mattress," Flynn said.

The ability of the under-rated Reds scrum to effectively clear their own ball against the menacing Crusaders pack in the past has also seen Todd Blackadder go to school on how they can assert set-piece dominance.

"We've had to look at other ways to try and combat it and attack them," Flynn said. "It's made us have a real good look at ourselves."

The Crusaders are the form team entering the play-offs on the back of five straight wins, including three impressive showings since they fine-tuned their game plan during the June Test break.

Queensland, in contrast, have had just last week's rusty 14-12 win over NSW together since the Lions Test series. On the basis of the Crusaders' pre-match talk, Reds coaching boss Ewen McKenzie is tipping Carter will kick for field position and ask his team to roll the dice in attack.

"If you read between the lines they will try to get us to play out of our half," McKenzie said. "Discipline will be important and where you are going to play the game is going to be important."


Follow live text commentary of the Super Rugby qualifier between the Crusaders and the Reds on Saturday, July 20, from 7pm (NZT), 5pm (EST), 7am (GMT)

Greg Growden and Russell Barwick preview the Super Rugby finals
© AAP

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