NORTH WALES CRUSADERS’ last two wins have arrived in the play-offs, but player-coach Carl Forster has stressed that the players have been playing knockout rugby for more than a month.

Victories versus play-off finalists Doncaster and London Skolars in their final two regular season matches ensured there was a top-six finish for the Crusaders.

This made sure of qualification for the play-offs, where Cru have already seen off Workington Town and Oldham ahead of Sunday’s big trip to league runners-up Hunslet.

“Effectively, we’ve been playing play-off rugby since the Doncaster game,” Forster told the club’s website.

“It has been, you know, win or we’re out, so we’re kind of used to that play-off mentality and it is a different ball game.”

Crusaders have been underdogs all through their run in the play-offs and that’s not going to change at Hunslet.

“I don’t think many had us down for being here today and I certainly don’t think many had us down for being wherever we may be next Sunday,” said Forster after the comeback win over Oldham.

“So, same again. We go there next week underdogs and, who knows, we might actually get in a final.”