Crusaders flank Matt Todd says the team will be working on a plan to stop the Lions’ maul ahead of the Super Rugby final in Christchurch on Saturday.

The Lions used their maul to good effect to come back from a 14-0 deficit in their semi-final against the Waratahs, with hooker Malcolm Marx grabbing a brace from it.

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Todd told Stuff.co.nz that the Crusaders will try to stop the same from happening to them on Saturday.

‘It’s a real momentum changer for them ― not just with tries but also getting them field position when they were under the pump a little bit at the start of that game.

‘When a team has a big strength, as they do in that area, you have to put some time into it. [Forwards coach] Jase Ryan will come up with a good plan for us there.

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‘You have to stop it before it gets set up,’ Todd added. ‘They are big men and obviously work well together. Don’t give them opportunities – especially down our end. There needs to be an urgency to get in an nullify it.’

Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images