Reds wary of Crusaders' scrum weapon

Updated July 9, 2011 13:45:00

The Queensland Reds have identified the Crusaders' damaging scrum as a major "point-scoring weapon" they must nullify in Saturday night's Super Rugby final.

Reds skipper James Horwill said it was essential his under-rated pack stood up to the set-piece challenge at a sold-out Lang Park.

The Crusaders forwards destroyed the Stormers in their 29-10 semi-final victory in Cape Town and they have consistently won games through pressuring rivals into conceding scrum penalties.

With peerless five-eighth Dan Carter in signature form with the boot, the Cantabrians regularly earn three points on the back of their scrum dominance.

"They showed that last week against the Stormers," Horwill said.

"They attack the scrum and we're prepared for that.

"It's a points-scoring weapon for them to get penalties and put points on the board."

But Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder does not believe his side will have it all their own way at scrum-time, marvelling how the young Reds front row consistently hold their own.

Blackadder said Queensland had been efficient in getting quick and clean ball out to half-back Will Genia and his loose forwards needed to be wary about the ball being used before they detach.

"We have to be careful not to overcommit in the scrum," he said.

While Carter registered seven from seven last week in Cape Town, Cooper kicked just three from seven in an otherwise outstanding personal display in the Reds' 30-13 win over the Blues in Brisbane.

Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie has backed his playmaker to again rise to the challenge, as he has enjoyed a happy knack of producing his most accurate kicking displays when his side needed them most.

"He's kicked some brilliant goals for us," McKenzie said.

"He's won us a lot more games than he's lost - he's well and truly ahead on the ledger."

While the Crusaders have seven titles in the 15 previous Super Rugby seasons, the Reds have yet to win a trophy in the professional era and last made the play-offs in 2001.

Queensland won two Super 10 titles in 1994 and 1995 before the game turned professional.

-AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, qld, brisbane-4000, new-zealand

First posted July 9, 2011 13:16:00

View the original article here