Robbie Deans doesn't hesitate when quizzed on his Super 14 rugby semifinal tips.
"The Crusaders will win and the Hurricanes will win, and then the Crusaders will win (the final) in Wellington," he told NZPA today.
Deans, who named his first Wallabies squad of the year, is for once a keen Super 14 observer rather than participant as his champions from last year tackle the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday (NZT).
Despite only four of the 26 Super rugby semifinals having been won by the away side, Deans oozed confidence that his former charges could win the title from fourth spot.
"They're well equipped because they've shown resilience all year and they thrive in these kind of contests," he said.
"They've been there once and come up short, and I suspect it won't happen twice." That was two years ago when the Deans-coached Crusaders lost 12-27 to the Bulls in a try-less semifinal in Pretoria before they beat the Sharks in the final.
Todd Blackadder was lineout coach for that campaign, and took over as head coach this season with assistants Mark Hammett and Daryl Gibson, all former Crusaders.
"It's been fantastic to see (them make the semifinals), long may it last," Deans said.
"They've got three very good men in charge, good coaches as well." Deans kept in regular touch with his former side this year from his base on Sydney's North Shore as he neared the one-year mark in his new job.
"I've been trading texts all year with a few of them. Not a lot, just to stay connected. It was challenging at times, and when the Hurricanes beat them at home it helped me to let go a little bit," he quipped.
Deans said playoff experience would help the Hurricanes topple the Chiefs in Hamilton and reverse the hosts' 16-8 win from a fortnight ago.
Deans' Crusaders beat the Hurricanes 19-12 in 2006 in their only visit to the final, while the Hurricanes were also beaten semifinalists three times in the past six years.
The Chiefs have made just one previous semifinal appearance, a 17-32 defeat to the Brumbies in Canberra in 2004.
"The Hurricanes have been there before as well and they've suffered, but they would have learned from that," Deans said.
"(Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper) has been around a long time and he's been chasing this for a long time, as have some of his players.
"They've been in a few semis and one final. That's often the point of difference."
