Crusaders have no need for additional motivation ahead of their Super 14 final with the Waratahs, according to their scrum-half Andy Ellis.

The Crusaders will be aiming for a record seventh title in the annual tournament when they meet their Australian rivals in Christchurch on Saturday.

The Canterbury side reached the final courtesy of a gruelling 33-22 semi-final win over fellow-Kiwis the Hurricanes last week.

Ellis (pictured), who has four All Blacks caps, claims the Crusaders are fully focused on the task in hand and require no further motivation.

"In finals week there is no problem picking it up and getting excited," Ellis told the NZ Herald.

"It's an intense feeling. Everyone is really excited about the challenge ahead. We've worked hard so far and this is the pinnacle."

The Crusaders will be losing a number of key figures at the end of the season, including coach Robbie Deans, skipper Rueben Thorne and the experienced Caleb Ralph.

But Ellis claims these departures have not figured on the players' radars ahead of the final.

"It's not something we talk about," added the 24-year-old. "It's probably something to worry about more so after the match."

The intensity of last week's win and the fact the players are nearing the end of their domestic season, means the training has not been too demanding this week.

"We're building into it easy," added Ellis. "We're not doing anything too silly, not too much full-on training or weights or anything like that.

"Physically, everyone is ready and in the best condition they could be in. It's more of a mental approach now, building slowly for the weekend and being ready to fire."

Ellis admits that the in-form Waratahs will be difficult opponents at the Jade Stadium and he was impressed by their 28-13 victory over the Sharks last week.

"They have a strong side and they're strong throughout," added Ellis.

"They've got good inside backs and a strong forward pack, obviously and good finishers out wide. So it's going to be a good challenge."

The Waratahs have never won the Super 14, though they did reach the final in 2005, where they were beaten 21-17 by their opponents on Saturday.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport