Last week former Crusaders coach Robbie Deans, who guided the team to a record five titles between 2000 and 2008, reckoned the heavy travel schedule during the finals series would wear down his former outfit.

The Wallabies boss has backed the Queensland Reds to claim their first crown instead.

Crusaders hooker Corey Flynn, who was recruited to the Crusaders in 2002 by Deans and will play his 100th match for the franchise in this week’s semi-final against the Stormers in Cape Town, was clearly less than thrilled by his former boss’ prediction.

“I saw Deansy’s comment in the paper that it is pretty hard to do, but that is what our season has been [constant travelling].”

“That is what we are looking forward to. We can’t wait,” Flynn said.

“He’s entitled to his opinion. I suppose he is sitting in another camp now. He is no longer in our camp.”

With the damage to AMI Stadium forcing the Crusaders to play all their matches away from home this season, Deans believes the constant grind will finally wear them down – either in Cape Town this weekend or if they have to travel back to either Brisbane or New Zealand for the final.

Yet the Crusaders, who have never complained about the constant travel or used it as an excuse following defeats, say they are undaunted.

“No, it is not really a big deal. It is not as though we are not used to it – it is just about sitting on a plane and getting to a new city,” Flynn said.

“In terms of training, we don’t do a lot when we get there. It is all pulled right back because the amount you get into a week isn’t that much anyway. It is just about getting your head right and being mentally up for this time of the season.”

If the Blues beat the Reds this weekend and face the Crusaders in the final, the showdown is unlikely to be at Eden Park. Having finished ahead of the Blues on the ladder, the Crusaders will have earned hosting rights and are unlikely to want to play it in Auckland. Instead Wellington looms as a logical alternative.

Third time unlucky will be unacceptable for Todd Blackadder in Cape Town after his side beat the Sharks 36-8 in Nelson on Saturday.

Since taking over as head coach in 2009, Blackadder has guided his side into the semifinals twice and watched it stumble to the Bulls on both occasions. In 2009 the Crusaders were zapped 36-23 in Pretoria and last year were dumped 39-24 in Soweto.

We’ve just come too far to let this slip,” Blackadder said. “We’re absolutely bloody determined that we are not going to let this one slip, and we are going to make the most of this opportunity and put a good performance in.”

Not even the ash cloud from the Chilean volcano, which forced the Crusaders to charter a DC3 for the June 18 fixture against the Hurricanes in Wellington, could knock them off their stride yesterday. With their Qantas flight cancelled because of the ash, the Crusaders switched flights to Emirates and left, on schedule, for Sydney last night.

They expect to fly to South Africa this morning and when they return next week Blackadder still wants to be hunting for his first Super title.

“We are not going over there to be good losers, put it that way. The guys are bloody determined.

“Even on the plane back down to Christchurch from Nelson, you could just tell from the guys’ conversations that they want to win.”

– The Press