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Watch video: Crusaders legacy will carry on - DeansKEY POINTS:
The only thing to get away from the Crusaders was the horse. Spooked by the celebratory fireworks, it threatened to turn the 20-12 victory into a tragedy.
Players took refuge, officials looked on in horror and photographers mixed evasion with snapping shots as the terrified animal did several circuits of the ground before it was rounded up.
It was an untidy interlude between the final whistle and the prizewinners' ceremony when the Crusaders were presented with their fifth title in coach Robbie Deans' nine-year reign.
Deans did not reach the pitch for some time after the final whistle as he negotiated the service lift and hordes of excited fans who had come to pay homage to their departing coach, former skipper Reuben Thorne and utility Caleb Ralph.
It was Thorne and another senior pro Brad Thorn who then hoisted a sword-wielding Deans on to their shoulders as the coach accepted the plaudits of the crowd.
Skipper Richie McCaw began with "what a man and it will be sad to see you go mate", as he spoke about Deans and the legacy he would leave in the region.
McCaw finished with another line for a "Yeah, right" billboard advertisement.
"All the best for what you've got coming up," McCaw said in reference to Deans' move to coach the Wallabies.
The pair later sat side by side at the media conference, answering questions about their roles in the match and their rugby partnership which will turn to rivalry on July 26 in the opening Bledisloe Cup test.
Neither looked disconcerted at the prospect.
Both were certain Deans had left the Crusaders in a robust state and that his values and teachings would be built on by his probable coaching successor Mark Hammett.
Both were looking forward to testing themselves against each other in two months' time in Sydney.
But mostly the departing coach and his triumphant captain just looked as though they wanted to wander off into the night and share a few beers and stories about another successful season. They deserved it.EW
