Chris Rattue: Crusaders side keep reaching for sky

The accolade 'as good as it gets' is due the Crusaders after they embarrassed the Hurricanes in last night's Super 12 semifinal.

Has there ever been a more emphatic dissection of one New Zealand side by another on such a big occasion?

With their lineout on form, the Red and Blacks had every facet covered.

What sets the Crusaders apart in this country is their attention to detail, off and on the field. Only the Brumbies have ever matched this, long-term.

As expected, the Crusaders scrum dominated and they had the turnovers licked last night.

It almost goes without saying that Justin Marshall turned out to be the dominant influence.

It is also a joy to watch the patience and timing of their support on the break. They calmly get into formation and keep supplying the ball to each other until the cover runs out.

Scott Hamilton's long-range try, with Greg Somerville chugging magnificently into position to provide the final pass, was an epic on this score.

Even their attacking grubber kicks are just pushed into handy little pockets behind the defensive line.

In defence, they clinically fill the air space where tackled players might aim passes.

The overall effect was like watching a game played at half pace.

In the Crusaders' case, this was because they knew what they were doing. In the Hurricanes' case, it was because they had no idea how to turn the game around.

Only the bruising Jerry Collins caused much damage.

In contrast, his test loose forward partner, Rodney So'oialo, again wasted energy with meaningless head-first aggro around the rucks.

At the moment, So'oialo looks anything but a commanding international No 8.

The New Zealand teams have played their traditional roles again. Apart from the early Super 12 seasons - when the Blues carried on the Auckland dominance of the shamateur era - they are typecast.

The Crusaders' tradition grows and grows. They are among the greatest teams this country has produced.

The Highlanders are the nearly men, the Chiefs the hardly ever men. With the Blues, every now and then a random formula falls into place, and just as quickly falls apart. The Hurricanes often have great backs but no backbone when it counts; their fiery loose forwards are in a pack of forwards who are too loose.

The Hurricanes were shocking last night, suffocated by the occasion and relapsing into poor discipline from the opening moment when Ma'a Nonu conceded a penalty.

This suggests they had no faith in a core plan - an accusation never levelled at the Crusaders. They are building a skyscraper, whereas the others still need decent foundations.