The Crusaders have been reminded they could do a lot worse than follow their leader as their Super 14 rugby title hopes go on the line this week.
They face a tough run home, starting with the highly impressive Stormers at Cape Town on Saturday morning (NZT) before they play competition leaders the Bulls at Pretoria ahead of the Brumbies in Christchurch.
Assistant coach Daryl Gibson said the form of skipper Richie McCaw, who will play his 100th Super match on Saturday, had been raised with the players.
"Richie McCaw and his 100th game will be pretty special for the team," Gibson said tonight from Cape Town. "We have spoken about it as a team. He was our player of the day in Perth where he had a huge performance.
"One of the things Todd (coach Todd Blackadder) has reiterated to the team this week was that one of our most experienced players stuck out like a beacon against the Force.
"The best way to honour him and his performance was to put one in for him this Friday night (SA time)."
The match has all the makings of a cracker. Along with the Reds, the Crusaders and Stormers are locked on 34 points, five behind the Bulls, and another loss now could cause irreparable damage to their playoffs aspirations.
McCaw said the importance of the match overshadowed his achievement of becoming the 11th New Zealander to play 100 Super matches.
While acknowledging it was a pretty special milestone, the All Blacks captain placed more importance on ensuring the right outcome for his side.
The Crusaders are seeking to qualify for the playoffs for the 12th time in 15 seasons of Super rugby, and McCaw said this outweighed any other considerations.
"(The milestone) does add a little bit of edge for me because I want to make sure I do well, but I'd feel that way anyway regardless.
"We have to treat it as if our whole season revolves around this game."
Blackadder has responded to the 16-24 defeat in Perth by ringing the changes as he seeks to eradicate the high error rate which has bedevilled the team in recent weeks.
Hooker Corey Flynn has been named to start ahead of Ti'i Paulo after being sidelined for four matches by an ankle injury.
As well, prop Wyatt Crockett starts at loosehead prop ahead of Ben Franks and the loose forwards have been rejigged, with Kieran Read moving from blindside flanker to No 8 in place of Thomas Waldrom and George Whitelock starting on the blindside to enable McCaw to take his favoured No 7 position.
As well, Sean Maitland moves from fullback to the right wing, replacing Adam Whitelock and Colin Slade will start at fullback.
