The Crusaders’ are on the charge for the Super Rugby title 2013

Enjoying the ride – not freezing under the pressure – may yet prove the most valuable mantra of the Crusaders’ charge for the Super Rugby title.

Halfback Andy Ellis and the other All Blacks who won gold medals at the 2011 World Cup have been sharing some important intelligence ahead of Saturday night’s qualifying final against the Queensland Reds at AMI Stadium.

During the World Cup the All Blacks vowed to each other they would revel in the tournament rather than bow under the weight of expectation.

They wanted to “walk towards the pressure”, savour the moment and keep winning.

Ellis says the Crusaders players who were in that event want to do it all over again as they look to win their first Super Rugby title since 2008.

“Probably we can take some learnings out of the (2011) Rugby World Cup,” Ellis said.

“You have got to treat it as an honour, not a burden. Because as soon as you think ‘we have been here so many times, we should win it, we should win it’ it just creates anxiety.”

Since last winning the crown five years ago the Crusaders have always made the sudden-death phase but failed to steal the silverware.

They have stumbled in the semis on four occasions and were beaten by the Reds in the grand final in Brisbane in 2011.

A major bonus from winning is that the tight friendships formed during the season would not be broken by being forced to bow out of the title race.

“This week is just exciting. Everyone is excited, we are in the quarterfinals and if we win this week we get to stay together for another week.

“It is just the attitude we have.”

After training this week a group of the team’s most experienced players and leaders gathered for an impromptu chat.

Ellis was joined by skipper Kieran Read, vice-captains George Whitelock and Ryan Crotty, Dan Carter and the Crusaders most experienced player in history Corey Flynn.

Ellis, Read, Carter and Flynn were all members of the 2011 World Cup squad and have all won Super Rugby titles.

One message Ellis believed needed to be emphasised by the team leaders at this time of year was the importance of savouring the build-up and match.

“We have kind of been there – in most situations and scenarios,” Ellis said. “It’s nice to be able to present to the rest of the group and said ‘this is nice, this is a exciting time of the year’ and focus on a couple of key points.

“It’s good having the coaches do it but if the players take that ownership they are ultimately accountable for what they say.’

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