Durban - The Sharks will look to defend their Currie Cup crown by emulating Super Rugby runners-up, the Crusaders.

Sharks assistant coach Hugh Reece-Edwards, told Sharks website editor, Michael Marnewick, they will look at the way in which the Crusaders' scrum destroyed their opposition during the recent Super Rugby tournament, and aim to replicate them.

"They (The Crusaders) delivered a huge lesson, making sure at scrum-time you destroy the opposition. So first phase is vital, and then looking after the ball. We didn't do enough of that in this past campaign (Super Rugby campaign), we conceded too many turnovers and that's something we're going to be focusing on now," said Reece-Edwards.

"It's really all about what we do with our possession and making sure we do keep possession.

"Overall, if we can put those things together, there's no reason why we can't have a good season."