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![Rugby: Crusaders tipped to fight fire with fire](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Rugby: Crusaders tipped to fight fire with fire
The Sharks swept the Highlanders before them in their qualifier by virtue of their powerful scrum but it is an area that the Crusaders, who possess their own heavy artillery, are likely to target in their semifinal.
![Rugby: Crusaders sharper for semi](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Rugby: Crusaders sharper for semi
Losing to the Sharks in pool play was so unlike the Crusaders, especially at home and with a man advantage after Jean Deysel was sent off early, they rarely got out of third gear.
![Chris Rattue: Super Rugby finally starting to rumble](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Chris Rattue: Super Rugby finally starting to rumble
It's been another confusing and often boring Super 15 season but Saturday night's semifinal clash in Christchurch should be well worth the wait, writes Chris Rattue.
![Crusaders left shouldering nation's hopes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Crusaders left shouldering nation's hopes
Todd Blackadder would have made the short journey from his home to the Crusaders' training base yesterday to begin the analysis for his team's semifinal in Christchurch.
![Rugby: McCaw's return means hard call](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Rugby: McCaw's return means hard call
The return of Richie McCaw to the Crusaders for their semifinal next Saturday will present coach Todd Blackadder with a dilemma. Where to play him?
![Crusaders judged by a higher standard](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Crusaders judged by a higher standard
Title success has justifiably created a rod for the Crusader backs and they are judged by a higher standard, writes Brian Ashby.
![Justin Marshall: Crusaders on track to go all the way](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Justin Marshall: Crusaders on track to go all the way
The Crusaders' attack has probably been their Achilles heel this season, but they are looking a lot more balanced now and have an ominous momentum heading into the finals.
![Rugby: Crusaders clinch conference](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Rugby: Crusaders clinch conference
A good night's work led to a good night's kip for the Crusaders. They got their four-try victory and with it, the near certainty that the Sharks, who played overnight, couldn't knock them out of second place.
![First take: Another admirable Crusaders win](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
First take: Another admirable Crusaders win
The Crusaders are not everyone's model rugby side. But they understand the basics needed to achieve victories and for that, they need to be admired.
![As it happened: Crusaders v Highlanders](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
As it happened: Crusaders v Highlanders
Relive all the action from tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Crusaders and Highlanders, from AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
![Rugby: Smith's absence music to Crusaders' ears](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Rugby: Smith's absence music to Crusaders' ears
It will be the first time in two years Smith has not been available for the Highlanders. A leg infection, kept him in hospital across the Ditch for three nights
![Rugby: The pivotal battle](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Rugby: The pivotal battle
The first match in which Blues first-five Ihaia West plays with his short-term future secured could also be the one in which he feels the most pressure.
![Justin Marshall: Crusaders coaches got it right](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Justin Marshall: Crusaders coaches got it right
There's been a lot of chat recently about the decision-making at the Crusaders - and I was one who was critical of some of their selections, Writes Justin Marshall.
![Rugby: Trio's departure a blow to Blues' hopes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Rugby: Trio's departure a blow to Blues' hopes
If the Blues have taken a step forward in 2014, they are about to take at least two back, writes Gregor Paul.
![Rugby: Rebuff may see Blues turn West](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Rugby: Rebuff may see Blues turn West
It’s possible Beauden Barrett is right and an offer from the Blues is in the pipeline.
![Crusaders end Blues' hopes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Crusaders end Blues' hopes
The agony of defeat and their season ending with it will be hard enough for the Blues to deal with tomorrow morning.
![As it happened: Crusaders v Blues](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
As it happened: Crusaders v Blues
Join us here for tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Crusaders and the Blues from AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
![Brian Ashby: Not all doom and gloom for Crusaders](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Brian Ashby: Not all doom and gloom for Crusaders
It's hard to think of a more frustrating season for Crusaders fans, writes Brian Ashby. Just when they're starting to look like the real deal, they turn to dog tucker.
![Justin Marshall: ABs should have started for Crusaders](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Justin Marshall: ABs should have started for Crusaders
A victory over the Hurricanes, with two home fixtures left, would have put the Crusaders in the box seat for a home semifinal. Instead, they lost 16-9, writes Justin Marshall.
![As it happened: Hurricanes v Crusaders](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
As it happened: Hurricanes v Crusaders
Watch a replay of tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Hurricanes and the Crusaders from Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
![Rugby: Crusaders contest pivotal for Canes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Rugby: Crusaders contest pivotal for Canes
The Hurricanes have beaten the Crusaders in three of the past five meetings and each time the winning points have come in the final 10 minutes.
![Brian Ashby: Time waits for no one](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Brian Ashby: Time waits for no one
Just when McCaw was getting some traction and form, he's back on the sidelines with a broken rib, writes Brian Ashby.
![Crusaders tick off right boxes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Crusaders tick off right boxes
Apart from the failure to gain a bonus point in their victory over the Force in Christchurch, the past weekend couldn't have gone any better for the Crusaders.