Richie McCaw will celebrate his 100th Super 14 game for the Crusaders against the Stormers at Newlands on Friday night.

The All Black and Crusaders captain will be playing his landmark Super 14 match against the Stormers in a game that both teams have to win after last week’s hiccups in Brisbane (Stormers) and Perth (Crusaders). The Crusaders seldom lose two games in a row, so the Stormers should be wary, and even more so now that the visitors will be trying to make it a special one for their leader.

“The Stormers will have a similar feeling to us as they were knocked over last week as well,” said McCaw.

“If we are going to be in with a shot at the end of the competition, we need to perform this week. That is the bottom line. We realise that if we are going to be in the top four, we have to win all three of the remaining games.

“We were disappointed with last week against the Force. We didn’t play very well, but we had an opportunity to still win the game and we didn’t take it. We have to move on from that, and we are going to have to be a lot better than we were in Perth if we hope to challenge the Stormers.”

McCaw admitted that in many senses this week’s game would be the first final in the sequence of five if the Crusaders hope to win their eighth Super rugby title.

“It starts this week. We are not kidding in that regard, and it gives this game an extra edge. We were not happy with last week, and hopefully the guys are on edge this week.”

Times have changed down in Stormers country. Once seen as the soft under-belly of the side, the Stormers forwards are now being regarded as the biggest obstacle by some opponents.

“The game starts and ends up front, and the Stormers have probably one of the best, if not the best, packs in the competition. They have improved a lot this year. The games they have won are because they have outmuscled the other team at forward, and that is going to be something we will have to be ready for.”

Source: supersport.co.za