Reds have eye on Crusaders as Super Rugby finals loom

SKY-BLUE jerseys are in their sights but there is at least a flash of Cantabrian red in the minds of the Reds ahead of their Waratahs clash.

SKY-BLUE jerseys are in their sights but there is at least a flash of Cantabrian red in the minds of the Reds ahead of Saturday night's Super Rugby battle with arch rivals the Waratahs.

Results this weekend will determine the pecking order for the six title contenders, with the most likely scenario for Queensland being a trip to Christchurch for a sudden-death quarter-final against the Crusaders.

With the Crusaders hosting the Hurricanes overnight, Reds boss Ewen McKenzie will know precisely what his outfit will need to qualify in fourth spot and earn hosting rights to a finals match.

There is no chance the Reds will treat the Waratahs lightly but they have already spared skipper James Horwill (calf), Will Genia (hand and knee) and centre Anthony Faingaa (hamstring) from the interstate battle.

Of all the possible opponents Queensland could end up facing - the Brumbies in Canberra or the Bulls in Pretoria - the Crusaders are the foes the Reds have been measuring.

"We've probably been more successful than anyone else against (the Crusaders) in the past four years," McKenzie said.

"Some of our finest moments have come against them.

"That doesn't make it any easier. Every time you play them you know they're a classy side.

"Their key players know how to play finals more than anyone else. They just know."

All Blacks Dan Carter and Kieran Read are proven big-game players. But the Reds, even without Horwill and Genia, have experienced finals pressure.

Quade Cooper, Jake Schatz, Ben Tapuai, Luke Morahan, Liam Gill and stand-in captain James Slipper all have tasted the intensity of Tests or elimination matches.

"Blokes like Quade have shown they can control a game if they want," Schatz said.

"In finals that's crucial. They know what they're doing and we trust them to do it."