WHILE his cousin Greig continues preparations for Scotland's Rugby World Cup campaign, Clark Laidlaw has more pressing matters on his mind as he looks to help the Hurricanes win the Super Rugby title this weekend.
The former Scotland Sevens man was a defence coach for the Wellington-based side during 2014 and this season he stepped up to an assistant coach role and has flourished.
Soon he will head back to the UK to become assistant coach at English side London Irish - but he wants to go out with a bang tomorrow when the Hurricanes play the Highlanders in a sold-out final at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
The Hurricanes - who feature players like All Blacks Ma'a Nonu, Beauden Barrett and Jeremy Thrush - reached the final after defeating Australian side the Brumbies in last week's semi-final.
"We are obviously very happy with the way we have played up to this point in the season and we are really content with where we are at going into this match," the former Jed-Forest and Border Reivers man Laidlaw said.
"We have played the Highlanders twice already this season so we know plenty about how they play as they will about is - so this should make it a very tight contest.
"We have a lot of respect for the way they play the game and they have had two excellent results in the play-offs so far [against the Chiefs and the Waratahs].
"Both teams want to play with the ball and I think the game will be decided on key moments, we both have the ability to score from turnovers and long range so we will be looking to control possession and not give them opportunities in broken play."
Laidlaw, the son of Scotland and British & Irish Lions great Roy, has this week been making sure that the game plan is very clear so that come kick-off the team can play with "the intensity and clarity that will be required".
"It would be great for the team and our club to win our maiden Super Rugby title and obviously with it being my last game with the team it really would be an awesome way to finish," he stated.
Whatever happens Laidlaw will not have much time to reflect on the match - he starts work at London Irish in Reading in just over a week.
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