Super Rugby
Brumbies pumped up for Crusaders trip
April 28, 2014
Brumbies scrum-half Nic White is tackled, Brumbies v Chiefs, Super Rugby, Canberra Stadium, Canberra, April 25, 2014
The Brumbies now boast the second best attack in Super Rugby, behind only the Hurricanes © Getty Images
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The Brumbies are relishing the prospect of putting their Super Rugby title credentials to what they see as the ultimate test - ending a 14-year drought in Christchurch. Despite winning two titles of their own last decade, the second-placed ACT outfit haven't beaten the seven-time champion Crusaders in New Zealand since 2000.

Saturday's clash at AMI Stadium looms as a massive assignment, with the Cantabrians surging back to form with three straight wins and All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw poised to return from injury. But the Brumbies see it as an exciting gauge of their ability after toppling the Chiefs 41-23 in Friday's grand final rematch.

"No matter what team the Crusaders field they are always going to be strong and considering they're playing at home it's just a whole other level," in-form winger Robbie Coleman said in Canberra. "We're going out there with the attitude that it's going to be the toughest test we have this season."

The Brumbies haven't forgotten being upset 30-23 in Canberra last season, when the Crusaders' All Blacks big guns stood tall and the home side's emerging stars wilted.

"We've been fairly success over the last couple of years at creating challenges and rising to those challenges and this is another challenge for the team," coach Stephen Larkham said. "There's elements of our game that has improved and particularly this year we feel our attack has come a long way."

The Brumbies began their revival under Jake White in 2012 as a hard-working field position team that prided itself on its defence and breakdown work. But the Australian conference leaders have scored 27 tries in nine matches this season - the second most in the competition behind the Hurricanes (31).

They had hoped to have Henry Speight, Fotu Auelua and Leon Power back from injuries in time for the Christchurch trip but it looks like No.8 Auelua and lock Power will return to club rugby first, while Speight is another week away.

© AAP

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