Crusaders face Chiefs at Jade | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

The Crusaders go into tomorrow's match against the Chiefs at Jade handicapped by uncertainty over what they can and can't do in the rucks this year.

Their frustration over the opening 21-32 loss to the Brumbies is compounded by the way South African ref Mark Lawrence punished them at the breakdown.

Hooker Corey Flynn, sin-binned in what proved to be a turning point in the match, is still smarting over the way the Brumbies got away with lying over the ball.

"I don't know if they ruck in South Africa or not, but the referee obviously doesn't believe so," he said.

"He (the Brumbies player) was lying all over the ball and in my opinion he should be rucked. I still strongly believe that, but we're not going to be able to do that because we'll be penalised by the referees."

They now had to look at different ways to clear bodies, he said.

"We're not going to be able to ruck so we'll have to find another way of clearing them out and having them not wanting to come back."

Tomorrow night the Crusaders and Chiefs have a New Zealand ref, Bryce Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), but Flynn doesn't know whether that will mean a different approach. "I don't know, mate -- we'll just have to talk about that later on."

The Crusaders are chasing their seventh consecutive win against the Chiefs, and with Campbell Johnston injured, Dave Hewett returns at loosehead. In the locks rookie Kevin O'Neill replaces Ross Filipo, who will be sidelined for six weeks with his knee injury.

Andrew Mehrtens' absence for the tsunami fundraiser means Daniel Carter moves to first-five and samurai Leon MacDonald is back in the 15 jersey once again.

Flynn is confident the Crusaders can do much better than they did in Canberra.

"For sure. The accuracy wasn't there and we noticed the drop off ourselves and if we can cure that and not have that drop off, we'll be right."

Flynn hasn't forgotten last year's 36-15 win in Hamilton ? he dislocated his shoulder late in the game after a night when he'd had a few problems with his throwing.

There were hiccups in the Crusaders' lineout last weekend, too, but Flynn said this was "work in progress.

"When you've got a team that's as good as the Brumbies on attack and defence in the lineouts, then it's always going to be difficult. I can guarantee we won't be the only team that struggles against them."

O'Neill would take his opportunity with two hands, said Flynn. "He's a very skilful, athletic bloke, and he's got a lot of heart, so he won't shirk at the opportunity."

The Chiefs had a big year last year making the semis, and would be looking to carry on, said Flynn.

However, he warned that Canberra has not dented the Crusaders' confidence:

"It's only the first round and anyone who thinks the Crusaders are down and out, they really don't know much about rugby and the Super 12. There's still a long way to go in this competition and if we keep improving the way we have I'm sure we'll be there."