Super Rugby Pacific: Blues coach Leon MacDonald predicts tight affair against Crusaders

As someone who won several titles with the Crusaders, Blues boss Leon MacDonald knows that his current team will have to be at their best to beat his former one when they face off in Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific final at Eden Park in Auckland.

The Crusaders are the most successful team in Super Rugby history with a record of 11 wins from the 16 finals they have played in while the Blues have won three out of the four finals they have contested.

With it being a final, MacDonald predicted a closely fought battle with match set to go down to the wire.

“It will be a tighter game, it won’t be an open game,” he said. “If there’s two tries apiece that’s probably about it. You’re not going to see five or six tries, your defence has got to be right on.”

There is plenty of hype around the final and with the Blues hosting it supporters in Auckland are constantly wishing MacDonald and his troops well in the build-up to the final. With the big match being against their arch rivals MacDonald revealed that it’s difficult to hide the tensions which come with playing in a final.

“We’re embracing it, we’re enjoying it,” he said. “It is our last week together, it’s our last training run today and we’re trying to enjoy this week as much as we can.”

MacDonald is excited by the prospect of playing the final in front of a sold-out crowd. He said the fans are supportive and he expects a thrilling atmosphere which will suit the teams, who both employ expansive game-plans.

Apart from a stellar career as a full-back with the Crusaders, the 44-year-old also had a stint as an assistant coach with the Christchurch-based side and is looking forward to take on his former club in such an important fixture.

“It’s been a great year, I’ve enjoyed it and