The Crusaders, who beat the Highlanders 17-0 in the Super Rugby quarterfinal in Christchurch last weekend, will field the same 23 players for the semi against the Chiefs.

Scott Robertson broke a tradition when he cranked-up the love for Dave Rennie.

Over the last five years things have been a bit toey between the Crusaders and Chiefs, with representatives from both Super Rugby teams chewing their lower lips while glowering at each other from afar.

Dark mutterings about the way the Chiefs drag players off rucks, hold them down, sledge like angry coalminers and ride their luck with the ref haven't been uncommon.

Then up steps Crusaders coach Robertson, who has prepared for the Super Rugby semifinal by naming an unchanged side from the one that beat the Highlanders 17-0 in the quarterfinal, to deliver his pre-game sermon to the media.

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Robertson certainly let rip, but not to have a dig at his rival. Instead he said Rennie was a top rooster.

"Full respect to Dave, for what he has done," Robertson said. "I suppose he has turned around the Chiefs, gave them a couple of titles. They have been consistent, and have been in the finals for a number of years.

"He should be proud of what he achieved. He is a quality coach, and a quality man - good on the guitar and loves a beer."

What Robertson didn't have to say was this.

He would dearly love to send Rennie, who will soon leave New Zealand to coach Scotland club Glasgow, packing back to Christchurch Airport with only dark thoughts and a post-season de-brief on his mind.

It would be a rough end to the Rennie-era, but that isn't the Crusaders problem. They are feverish for their first title since 2008, and everyone who has been around the club for the last five years won't have forgotten the losses to the Chiefs in the semifinals in 2012 and 2013 - which led them to winning titles.

Many in the Chiefs organisation felt they were dealt a rough hand by media in the wake of the scandal that involved allegations from an exotic dancer during their Mad Monday celebrations last year, forcing NZ Rugby to launch an investigation that some felt raised as many questions as it did answers.

Rennie, for his part, refused to be critical of his men. Now they are deep into the finals series he will be hoping that loyalty pays big dividends when he sends them out to confront the Crusaders at AMI Stadium on Saturday night.

Matches between the Crusaders and Chiefs are not for the meek, and until the Crusaders beat their foes 31-24 in Suva in their round 13 game they hadn't beaten them since 2014.

And if the filthy weather that has been forecast continues during the weekend, you won't find Robertson complaining too much.

"The wetter, the better. Hell, yeah. We are from the deep south. It is raining, you embrace it and you enjoy it."

His attitude is not surprising, given the way his men mastered the game plan when they blitzed the Highlanders in the mud and slush during the quarterfinal.

The old chestnut about travel, and it is the Chiefs who have had their preparations disrupted because they must fly back from South Africa, didn't wash with Robertson. While the Crusaders have the advantage of not having to deal with jet lag and a shorter training week, he was cautious.

"Even though they are flying back it doesn't mean the old mindset isn't going to be right. They can turn up and climb into us, like they have done in years gone by.

"For us, as a team it's about focusing on what we are doing this week. We are ready."

Crusaders: David Havili, Israel Dagg, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Seta Tamanivalu, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, George Bridge.