Perfection might not be enough to stop the Crusaders from going back-to-back as Super Rugby champions.
That's the opinion of former All Black Jeff Wilson, who is scratching his head when contemplating anything other than a Crusaders win.
The 2017 champions host the Sharks on Saturday night, where an expected win will mean a semi-final clash with the Hurricanes or Chiefs a week later.
Wilson told RadioLIVE he thinks the Sharks could pose a dangerous threat given their three-win, one-loss record against New Zealand sides this year.
"For whatever reason the Sharks have performed excellently against New Zealand franchises in 2018, and they will come to Christchurch with nothing to lose and look to throw the ball around a bit.
"They have some serious talent."
But talent, according to Wilson, won't be enough, given the Crusaders' stellar form in 2018.
Scott Robertson's side finished the regular season with a 14-win, two-loss record, rolling towards the playoffs with 12 straight victories.
Wilson tells Andrew Gourdie and Jim Kayes barring an off-night, combined with a perfect performance from the opposition, he can't see the Crusaders losing.
"It's probably going to take a near-perfect performance," Wilson says.
"A team will have to take every single opportunity afforded to them, and the Crusaders have a night when they are not quite 100 percent at the top of their game, but that is something we have seen rarely in the last two years.
"They have built their squad beautifully with great recruiting, and now they have players coming back at exactly the right time.
"They are going in at pretty much full strength. This is a machine that other teams will be wondering how they can challenge them.
"Scott Robertson and his coaching staff won't allow any complacency to set in. The important thing is to stay emotionally connected and make it happen rather than expect it to happen.
"They are better than that, but I think that is their only true danger."
Of the seven pretenders to the Crusaders throne, Wilson identifies a fellow New Zealand franchise as the only threat to a repeat title win.
"I think the Chiefs are that side that have taken the opportunity to step up.
"They play an excellent brand of rugby and have a great mix of youth and experience across the park.
"They also have serious attacking ability, and if you can put a team together that includes Sam Cane, a fit Broadie Retallick, Nathan Harris and Charlie Ngatai with Damian McKenzie playing really good footy, then they are the team for me that will hold no fears going to Christchurch and believe they are good enough to beat the Crusaders."
The Chiefs and Hurricanes open the playoffs on Friday night in Wellington.
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