Chris Rattue: Quake or no quake, Crusaders rule

Todd Blackadder's Crusaders have thrived on adversity this season. Photo / Getty Images

The Crusaders will win the Super 15 title and for the best possible reason.

No, it has nothing to do with the tragic earthquake or their desire to embolden a city that is knee-deep in trouble. They'll win because they are the best side in the Super 15 by a country mile. All the earthquake and its aftermath did was give the other sides more of a chance by forcing, and encouraging, the Crusaders to undergo a draining travel schedule and robbing them of certain extra points against the Hurricanes.

The Crusaders will hold the trophy aloft yet again - the precocious, speedy but underpowered Reds have little chance, despite home advantage.

This is the nearest thing to a perfect final after an imperfect year. The quality of the Super 15 has often been poor, especially in the brains department. The New Zealand match attendances and ground atmospheres have been woeful.

But out of this metaphoric rubble has emerged a final that carries thrilling prospects as well as the emotional and heart-warming aspect of giving strength to a city that has experienced despair. From a New Zealand point of view, enjoying a Brisbane final live at night is a far better deal than having to view one from South Africa in the wee hours.

The Crusaders were utterly professional and near perfect against the Stormers yesterday, dismantling them and reducing the atmosphere at Newlands to near Eden Park levels. The gulf was summed up when the Springboks' midfield back Jaque Fourie was far too easily slewed into touch by the chasing Zac Guildford.

The two most deserving teams are in the final, which will be played at a wonderful stadium that will be jam-packed. It will feature rugby's greatest attractions - Sonny Bill Williams and Quade Cooper. The standard-setting Crusaders will meet the competition's brightest new prospects who topped the round-robin table. Transtasman rivalries will resume. Rugby couldn't ask for more.

The Reds are exciting and Cooper the best player to watch in the game. Ewen McKenzie's side play at pace and with passion, but they looked a little battered by the end of Saturday night's romp against the Blues.

Cooper has yet to be confirmed as a test trickster, but he is a Super 15 revelation who has broken the modern mould with charm and magic. His goalkicking is a problem though.

With a home ground, these Crusaders would have secured a final on it and there isn't a team in this Super 15 who could beat them in Christchurch. Todd Blackadder's squad has thrived on adversity and a packed Suncorp Stadium will only encourage their test-hardened lineup while the home side is the one more likely to be anxious and overawed.

On the other side of the coin, the Blues were atrocious in Brisbane. The future for a once-mighty outfit is bleak, although Charlie Faumuina is a mobile and promising front row proposition.

Only a head full of brain snaps could leave Rene Ranger out of the run on side. What was Pat Lam thinking?

Was Luke McAlister playing? Once touted as an All Black certainty, he was like a gridiron goalkicker removed from general play.

If McAlister makes the All Blacks squad, I'll consider burning my mint, first edition copy of Colin Meads - All Black in protest, or at least bang it against my head in despair.

In contrast, the Crusaders stick to their work, play the percentages and strike when the situation is right as Kieran Read and Sonny Bill Williams did with offloads at Newlands. One mystery unsolved is the disappearance of Dan Carter's running game. Despite pre-match urgings from assistant coach Daryl Gibson, and his own admission he was quiet against the Sharks, Carter was static again.

It will be an injustice if the Crusaders are denied on Saturday night but if justice is not served, then the Reds are worthy beneficiaries. Overall quality and a mighty scrum will get the Crusaders home, away from home. Old Auckland fans can only look on with a mixture of utter respect and total frustration.