ACT coach David Nucifora says the Canterbury Crusaders’ historical dominance over the Brumbies is irrelevant and that his side have the players to win Saturday’s Super 12 rugby final.
The New Zealanders have beaten the Brumbies in five of their last six meetings and are the only Super 12 team to have a positive win-loss record (3-2) at ACT’s home ground, Canberra Stadium.
The Crusaders have won two Super 12 finals against the Brumbies, but Nucifora denied that the Canterbury franchise have any psychological hold over his team.
”We don’t put any significance on it,” he told reporters on Monday.
”It’s all about what happens out there on Saturday night, so we’re happy to be at home playing them and can’t wait for it to start.”
”[In] 2002 we played them twice over there and they won both games. Last year it was a pretty tight game here last round and they snuck home here when both teams had a heck of a lot of injuries.
”But they’re different teams and really irrelevant to this year.”
The Brumbies were the form team and undefeated this year when they went to Jade Stadium in Christchurch only to be beaten 47-28.
The Brumbies finished in first place in the 2004 round-robin standings, six points ahead of the Crusaders.
Nucifora said he wasn’t upset with the Christchurch loss.
”I was pretty happy with the way we played in Christchurch to be honest. We played quite well over there earlier in the year and it was probably some of our errors early in the game that contributed to their victory,” he said.
”We’ve been a consistent team all year, we’ve played well and I think we’ve certainly continued to improve since we played them last.”
Nucifora has to decide on the make-up of the team after captain Stirling Mortlock was ruled out with a knee injury sustained in the 32-17 semifinal win over the Waikato Chiefs on the weekend.
He must choose between leaving Saturday’s replacement Joel Wilson at centre or moving winger Clyde Rathbone in one place with Mark Bartholomeusz taking his spot on the flank.
A factor in the decision may be the questionable defence of Crusaders centre Aaron Mauger in his team’s 27-16 home win over the Stormers in the other semifinal at Christchurch on Saturday.
”[Mauger] did have a few problems out there just in making decisions on defense so we’ll have a good look at that,” said Nucifora. — Sapa-AP