Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has shrugged off accusations by former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer that his team employ illegal tactics at the breakdown, and confirmed that his team will not change their approach.

Dwyer suggested that the Crusaders clean players out illegally and obstruct the opposition from clearing out at the breakdown, but Blackadder would not rise to the bait and remains focused on the massive task at hand.

The Crusaders boss told The Press: "Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I am not going to get into it. Those things will not worry or motivate us... it is not going to change anything we are going to do."

The last time the Reds and Crusaders met the game ended in controversial circumstances when referee Stuart Dickinson penalised Crusaders captain Richie McCaw for a breakdown infringement in the last minute which gave Quade Cooper the chance to win the game for his side.

This weekend's referee Bryce Lawrence was also the subject of scrutiny after he penalised the Sharks front row for 'dangerous play' before their engagement at a scrum in their play-off match against the Crusaders in Nelson.

Blackadder said that his team have a good understanding of Lawrence and his ideosyncracies and added that they would do their best to stay on his good side this weekend.

"We know Bryce well enough to know what he won't stand for, so we have to be really clinical. We have too much to play for. Just like last week, if we focus on what we want and what we do then the referee just gets the opportunity to facilitate," he said.