04/03/2008 15:09

Perth - When the unbeaten Crusaders arrive in Perth they will strike a wall of heat with temperatures in the Western Australian city having been in the high 30s lately, making the sunny climes in South Africa seem mild in comparison.

The priorities for the Crusaders' management will be to schedule training sessions outside the hottest hours and find ways to keep players busy before next Sunday match against the Western Force.

The glamour of touring quickly wears off and by the time they settle in Perth, the Crusaders will have checked in and out of eight airports and stayed in five different hotels.

For sides sick of constantly being on the move, it would be easy to start thinking of home but it would be surprising if the Crusaders stumbled into that trap.

Unbeaten after three rounds, the Crusaders' 22-0 triumph over the Stormers last Friday has them confident and motivated to keep the show rolling.

The win marked the first time the Crusaders have kept a South African team scoreless and only once before, in 2002, had they left the country undefeated.

Coach Robbie Deans noted that record was a logical motivation. "Yes, without a doubt. The one thing the guys don't enjoy is a long flight just having come off a loss. For those who went through the experience with the Sharks last year (27-26 loss) that was still fresh in their minds."

In three matches the Crusaders have conceded 20 points and leaked one try.

The Experimental Law Variations were introduced to produce more tries but the Crusaders' opponents have failed to find ways to crack their lines.

Deans rated the defensive zeal in the opening 30 minutes against the Bulls in Pretoria as the highlight of that 54-19 second-round win and was just as enthusiastic about the way they smothered the Stormers, especially after repelling three attacking lineouts late in the second half.

"It was an outstanding defensive effort from our guys," Deans said. "It comes down to pride as much as anything. There were a lot of voices out there tonight. We could hear it down the wire. The guys were egging each other on."

The score could have been greater. Several chances went begging; a Corey Flynn pass was ruled forward in-goal, Sean Maitland dropped the ball close to the line, a loose Casey Laulala pass saw a promising movement break down and Maitland was denied his second try when an assistant referee said Caleb Ralph had earlier stepped out.

For the Stormers, the defeat was a bad way to end a disrupted week; first there was the suspension of Schalk Burger and then Luke Watson withdrew because of a cold.

Yet they were competitive on the ground. It was the aimless kicking and their failure to keep the ball in hand that hurt them.

Crusaders flyhalf Dan Carter showed again why the New Zealand Rugby Union should sign him up until the next Rugby World Cup. He set up Maitland's try with a cross kick, continually probed for gaps, was eager in defence and guided the backline around the park.

Admittedly he is getting a smooth ride behind his pack. Scrumhalf Andy Ellis looks the pick of the New Zealand No 9s so far this year and often found space around the fringes.

Skipper Richie McCaw continues to thrive with his running game and the scrum shaded the Stormers' pack.