Rugby: Victorious Crusaders reflect on virtues instilled by Deans (+photos, video)

Robbie Deans' men fought hard for their Super 14 title.

As they surveyed their hurdles to another Super rugby title, the Crusaders took an oath of allegiance about their defence.

They had just been humbled by the Highlanders in the last round before the playoffs and appeared as though their form had flattened out. If ever the Crusaders' bond was needed, this was it.

"We knew if we were going to win we had to be big on defence," captain Richie McCaw said of their collective vow before a semifinal win against the Hurricanes and Saturday's 20-12 title fight triumph against the Waratahs.

McCaw was sensational at the forefront of the tackle line, getting back on to his feet again and wrenching out some incredible turnovers, driving himself and his troops towards a victory they wanted so strongly for themselves and departing coach Robbie Deans.

Even when they had a try denied and were a man down with Brad Thorn sent to the sinbin for punching on the evidence of a touch judge, the Crusaders could not be broken.

Their line was bent, it buckled, it sagged but they held out without conceding a second half point.

The Crusaders had to be formidable as the Waratahs led 12-11 at the interval and kept charging throughout the match. They grabbed two tries, not by breaking tackles but when Lachlan Turner leaped high over Daniel Carter to claim an AFL style try and then outflanked the cover chasing his own kick.

It was stirring stuff as the Crusaders edged back through the driving play of their pack, Carter's tactical kicking and then crucially, a try to Mose Tuiali'i just before the break.

It was classic Crusaders, and a try which Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh conceded had "hurt" his side. The try altered the psychological balance of the match.

"We came back and did not consolidate and they went on with it," he said.

NSW coach Ewen Mckenzie thought his side had four scoring chances, two forward drives and two others on the flanks which were all snuffed out by the resolute defence.

"We just did not do enough to beat a side who led the competition all the way," he said. "In the pressure of a big game we came up a bit short."

The Crusaders had their misfires too. Casey Laulala squandered one draw and pass chance and while Tim Bateman was also collared when he went alone with men outside him.