Crusaders inside centre Ryan Crotty knows he is in for a tough tussle against the Hurricanes’ Ngani Laumape in their Super Rugby semifinal clash on Saturday.
The All Blacks duo will line up opposite each other in one of a number of exciting duels in the encounter.
Of Laumape, Crotty says: “He is a pretty tough man to tackle, as most 10s and midfielders have found out playing against him.
“I guess Ngani is that challenge in the midfield, but they have got game breakers across the field.”
Crotty adds: “They have really strong ball carriers and they play with tempo and turnover ball really well.
“It is like any side, the less turnovers you give them and the more first-up tackles you make, the better.”
The Crusaders and the Hurricanes will play the first semifinal at 9.35am on Saturday, with the Lions and the Waratahs crossing swords later in the day at 3.05pm.