Rugby: Champions show their courage

Crusaders' centre Casey Laulala prepares to pass during last night's match against the Bulls. Photo / Getty Images

Crusaders 16
Bulls 13

This was a mini-final for the seven time champions and a maxi-triumph.

It was a huge victory, one the Crusaders needed if their search for the semifinals was to continue and another jolt to the Bulls' ambitions who arrived unbeaten in New Zealand a fortnight ago.

The Bulls' drought in the Garden City since 1996 was extended when Stephen Brett kicked a late penalty for the victory to emphasise the tenacity which has been the hallmark of the Crusaders in this competition.

Their heavy hitters, captain Victor Matfield and Bryan Habana, were back after injury while the Crusaders still have several weeks to run before champions like Richie McCaw return.

The early part of the game was all about searching for territory especially the Bulls who favoured their traditional kicking game from Fourie du Preez and Morne Steyn. However each kick was returned with interest by the Crusaders who were intent on testing the oxygen intake capacity of the huge Bulls pack.

The hosts kept the ball moving, switching it across the park in waves of continuity which were only snapped by handling errors or when they ran out of numbers and Brett kicked for space.

It seemed the Crusaders had the visitors pinned in their own half for about 35 minutes of the opening spell but when they went to the sheds at the break, their advantage was only five points. They had a try in the fourth minute when the Bulls failed to defuse a bomb and Isaac Ross scored from Colin Slade's tip pass.

While they maintained their attacking moves and claimed vast tracts of possession and territory, the Crusaders failed to claim any further reward except for a Brett penalty.



Leon MacDonald went close, nailed in a double tackle on the Bulls line after he was involved several times in a sweeping counter-attack from halfway. The Bulls' defensive tenacity was massive as they repelled layers of Crusaders' attacks.

It seemed they had to crack again before the break but it was the Crusaders who made the gaffe when they fell off midfield tackles after a rare Bulls lineout win, Wynand Oliver made the telling cut which allowed Akona Ndugane to slide in at the corner for a shock reposte.

With a paltry 10-5 lead at the break, the Crusaders must have wondered if their plan to move the bulkier Bulls around the field was going to succeed or whether they were going to cop a revitalised Bulls onslaught.

Their issue was getting enough possession as the Bulls worked their way back into the match.

Ndugane used his great pace to claim his second try when he was freed with a cutout pass while Brett and Steyn exchanged penalties to leave the sides deadlocked going into the final quarter before Brett claimed the points decision.

Crusaders 16 (I Ross, try; S Brett con, 2 pen, dropped goal)

Bulls 13 (A Ndugane 2 tries; M Steyn pen) HT: 10-5