Preview: Final - Waratahs v Crusaders; Rugby 365

History versus the present. That is the reality of the 19th Super Rugby Final - when the Waratahs host the Crusaders in Sydney on Saturday.

The hosts, the Tahs, represent the present - this year's form team. The visitors have history on their side - a proven track record of winning finals, seven titles in all.

It is that proven ability to cope with pressure in big games that many pundits feel will give the Crusaders the edge over a team the have beaten twice before in Super Rugby finals.

All Black captain Richie McCaw, who knows all about big finals, admitted that teams tend to "get a bit tight "when the pressure comes on in play-offs.

"We just have to make sure we don't give them space and put the pressure on them," McCaw told a media scrum this week, when he was asked how they would counter the in-form Waratahs on Saturday.

"You allow them to get their tails up and confidence, because of what they have done all year, they will be a tough animal."

He felt that teams showed at times this year you can put pressure on the Tahs.

There has been suggestions that the forwards are the "soft underbelly" of the Waratahs, but both McCae and coach Todd Blackadder disagree with this assertion.

"Every week we put a fair bit of work into how and where it happened, also how we will defend," McCaw said, when asked about possible weaknesses in the opposition.

"Certainly we will have a look as the week goes on at how we can limit their supply of ball," the All Black skipper added, without giving too much away.

Blackadder told a media briefing that it would be a "huge mistake" to regard the Tahs pack as a weakness.

"We're too smart," the Crusaders coach said.

"We know that the Waratahs aren't the side that they are because they've got a soft underbelly. They haven't shown that all year.

"I think if you respect your opponent you will prepare well."

While the Waratahs have a proven attacking ability - they have scored 58 tries, 12 more than the Crusaders - the visitors are not about to roll out the welcome matt at their tryline.

"A symptom of whether they can do that [play an expansive game] will be down to what options we take and how good [the quality of] ball we give them," McCaw said.