Crusaders back to best in Pretoria romp

Aaron Mauger runs in a try for the Crusaders. Touchline / Getty Images

The Crusaders bounced back to their exalted best with a 35-17 hammering of the Bulls in Pretoria this morning (NZ time), setting up a likely Super 14 rugby home semifinal.

The five-time Super 12 champions went into the match at Loftus Versfeld with question marks over their title credentials after losing to the Stormers last week to follow a draw with the Western Force.

However, they dominated from the outset against a lacklustre and mistake-ridden Bulls side, racing to a 23-3 halftime lead.

It was only late tries to Bulls captain Victor Matfield and replacement halfback Heini Adams when Crusaders prop Greg Somerville was in the sinbin for a professional foul that restored any respectability for the hosts.

The Crusaders gained parity in the tight exchanges and were clearly superior at the breakdown and in some of the fundamentals of backplay, where their skill level was in a different class.

First five-eighth Daniel Carter was superb, kicking 15 points, including a long-range dropped goal late in the first half. He also made several sizzling breaks that created tries and pulled off a try-saving tackle on giant Bulls forward Danie Rossouw.

Another standout was flanker Tanerau Latimer, who turns 20 tomorrow. Called in to replace resting captain Richie McCaw, Latimer crossed for the first and last of the Crusaders' four tries and formed half of a brilliant double act at the tackle with Johnny Leo'o.

Latimer had his first in the seventh minute, with the Bulls having barely touched the ball.

Second five-eighth Aaron Mauger made it 14-0 inside 15 minutes running off a Carter break.

Bulls first five-eighth Morne Steyn kicked a penalty but Carter's dropped goal and two penalties kicked the Crusaders clear by halftime.

Soon after the break fullback Leon MacDonald had their third try off yet another Bulls handling error and Latimer backed up Carter to make the result safe after 60 minutes.

The result almost certainly ends the playoff hopes of the fifth-placed Bulls. Their qualifying chances will end if the ACT Brumbies get a point against the Highlanders in Canberra tonight.

The Crusaders, who host the Brumbies in the final round next week, will need just a point themselves to confirm a home semifinal.

Carter said the results of the last two weeks had lifted his side.

"We'd come off a couple of average performances and the boys really had to step up tonight against a very physical Bulls side," Carter said.

"In the past the Bulls forward pack have really dominated us and got over the gain line. Tonight our forwards really stepped up and chopped them down behind the gain line. It makes a huge difference."

Crusaders captain Reuben Thorne said playing for territory and holding onto position were the lynchpins of their game plan.

"We had two games in a row that we weren't happy with and we were determined to play better. Tonight we were much more intense with the ball."

Matfield had no excuses, saying the Bulls were effectively shut out of the game.

"They outplayed us in that first half, tactically they killed us. We never had the ball so we could never play," he said.

"We thought we were still a chance for the semifinals but we played against a class team tonight. They showed why they're the best team in the world for the last four or five years."

Crusaders 35 (Tanerau Latimer 2, Aaron Mauger, Leon MacDonald tries; Daniel Carter 2 pen, 3 con, dropped goal)
Bulls 17 (Victor Matfield, Heini Adams tries; Morne Steyn pen, 2 con). Halftime: 23-3.

- NZPA