Big Bulls bear down on Jade | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

Beating the Backyard Bullies is the challenge for the Crusaders as they return to Jade tomorrow night to meet the Bulls.

It's the fourth of five consecutive matches for the Crusaders against the South African teams, and after losing two from three on tour, stopping the charging Bulls looks the hardest of the lot.

With the confidence from reaching the semis last year where they lost by 20 points at Jade, the northern Transvaalers have proved African teams CAN tour by beating both the Brumbies and 'Tahs this month. And the third-placed Bulls have one of rugby's most intimidating forward packs and outstanding winger Bryan Habana.

"They're playing some good footie at the moment and they are a big, physical team, big forwards," says in-form Crusaders No.8 Mose Tuiali'i.

"They like to dominate up front, and we boys named them the 'Backyard Bullies.' That's what we are probably going to expect at the weekend.

"Wherever they go they put up a good fight and the last couple of weeks they've been playing some good footie, so we want to be up for a really good game."

In what's turning into a top season for South African teams, Tuiali'i puts their improvement down to youth coming through.

"They're putting a lot of pressure on those older guys, and they've got a good bunch of youth coming through from age grade footie, under-19, and under-21s South African teams as well."

The epic last-second loss in Durban hasn't affected the Crusaders' confidence, he said.

Watching from the bench, Tuiali'i had a premonition "something bad was going to happen" as soon as the ball was turned over.

But the loss was part and parcel of rugby, he said. They'd learned from it, and it was good for the younger players to get games like that.

"Definitely a learning curve for us, and character building as well," he said.

Tuiali'i said he'd have preferred to play last weekend after the Durban loss.

However, he and his team mates had recharged their batteries with two days off when they got home, and another two last weekend.

The Crusaders had been playing to their game plans and strategies but had to improve in phase play and defence to take on the Bulls, he said.

A veteran of 44 Super matches, Tuiali'i has been in top form this season and he and Scott Hamilton are the leading try scorers, both with three.

He hadn't been asked to take a leadership role this year, but with younger players in the team "obviously you have to stand up naturally," he said.

His commanding form will obviously bring him up again on Graham Henry's radar if he maintains it, but he insists his only concern at present is Super 14.