Rugby Union - by Craig Hill

Crusaders loose forward Reuben Thorne doubts the Brumbies will get tangled up in the emotions of farewelling George Gregan, Stephen Larkham and Jeremy Paul from Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.

The Brumbies' chances of snaring a home semi-final are slim* and next weekend's final round-robin match is in Dunedin, meaning the three Wallabies will probably make their final appearances in Canberra.

Canberra administrators are hoping a big crowd rolls up for the send-off, but Thorne doubts the Brumbies will let the occasion blight their preparations.
"I don't know if these guys will. They are pretty experienced and level headed - particularly those two (Gregan and Larkham).

"Without a doubt there will be a lot of emotion at the ground with the crowd and everything, so they will feed off that.

"But I don't think they are a team that will be affected by it negatively."

Gregan and Larkham are the only Brumbies players remaining from the original 1996 squad that was created by coach Rod Macqueen.

Between them the pair has made around 250 Super appearances and played 222 Tests for the Wallabies. Hooker Paul has played more than 100 games for the Brumbies and has 72 Test caps.

Wallabies coach John Connolly is expected to name halfback Gregan as his captain for the World Cup and, barring injury, Larkham should start at first five-eighths.

Despite expecting the Brumbies being determined to mark the occasion with a win, Thorne said the Crusaders are not going to change their approach in an attempt to blunt their enthusiasm.

"We are aware of it. We just have to make sure we don't give them too many opportunities where they get their tails up and get a roll on."

The Crusaders have not won in the Australian capital since 2003. Previous losses were in 2005 and the 2004 final - the latter when the Brumbies built up an early 33-0 lead and held on to win 47-38.

Meanwhile, Brumbies captain Stirling Mortlock was named yesterday as expected to make a timely comeback from injury.
Mortlock insisted his side would not be distracted by the emotion surrounding the Brumbies legends.

"Everyone's fully aware of the significance of playing the Crusaders in regards to furthering our season, and we realise the best we can do is to focus on our preparation, execute our game plan and send these guys away from Canberra Stadium winners," the incumbent Wallabies skipper told AAP.