'Awesome, brilliant' - beaten Bulls just love McCaw's boys

If the Hurricanes management had listened to two senior Bulls singing the Crusaders' praises, they'd wonder whether it's worthwhile turning up at Jade Stadium this weekend.

The pair hid their desperate disappointment at being dismantled at the semifinal stage for a second consecutive year to give a sharp dissertation on what makes the champion Crusaders so good.

"They played awesomely," Springbok lock Matfield said. "Their defence is very good. They executed their game plan brilliantly.

"They are a top-class outfit because every opportunity they get, they score. We gave them two turnovers in the first half and they scored two tries."

Matfield could only marvel at the try which to all intents sealed the game, ended off by Chris Jack a couple of minutes into the second half.

The context was crucial. The Bulls had scored on the stroke of halftime to make the score 16-8 and keep the visitors in the hunt. That try, over 17 phases and covering about half the length of the field, was a staggering achievement of control, composure, skill and teamwork.

"We knew after halftime we had to score first. That set us back a bit," Matfield said, utilising a massive dose of understatement.

Meyer reckons the Crusaders are "a great side. If you are going to beat them you need a team effort of 15 excellent guys and we are still not there yet".

He said one of the keys to their success was longevity of players in the colours. He cited Greg Somerville playing his 100th Super rugby game on Saturday, joining Reuben Thorne and Caleb Ralph, who brought up their centuries this year. Then add in Leon MacDonald (90 games), Aaron Mauger (81), Chris Jack (84) and Richie McCaw (60).

By contrast, lock Bakkies Botha played his 50th match on Saturday and only Matfield is ahead of him among the Bulls.

"They have a lot of continuity and they have been together quite some time," Meyer said. "Because they are experienced they don't panic. They have no weaknesses.

"They've got a brilliant kicking game. Their defence is good and if you try to play a kicking game their back three are so good, and Dan Carter just kicks you back further."

Both Matfield and Meyer would put their shirts on the Crusaders taking title No 6 next Saturday.

"The Hurricanes do have gamebreakers. We lack one or two," Meyer said. "I don't know if the Hurricanes believe they can win, they are good enough, but the Crusaders lift themselves for semifinal time.

"They've been in this situation and they're such a proud team who want to win for their supporters."