Crusaders eye revenge against Bulls

The Crusaders are hoping for a Bulls victory in Sydney after staying on track for a fifth Super 12 rugby title with clinical efficiency last night.

The Crusaders made it seven from seven Super 12 semifinal wins with a 47-7 hammering of the Hurricanes in Christchurch, a far more one-sided playoff than expected.

They await the outcome of tonight's other semi between the favoured Waratahs and South Africa's Bulls in Sydney to find their final opponent back at Jade Stadium next weekend.

"From the team's point of view maybe the Bulls because we came off second best against them in Africa," prop Dave Hewett said afterwards of their preference.

The Bulls beat the Crusaders in round robin play in early April in Pretoria, the match in which inspirational captain Richie McCaw was heavily concussed.

Last night was his first start since, and he was typically a huge force at the breakdown when Hurricanes raids were snuffed out by turnovers at rucks.

"We made sure we had some lines to not give them space, they're pretty lethal when they've got space to attack us. We kept the ball away from them and we punished them when we got turnover ball," McCaw said.

"It would be nice to play the Bulls again but at least we can sit back now and enjoy the other semi, look forward to next week and hope we can take another step up."

Hurricanes and All Blacks captain Tana Umaga was near enough to speechless after the six tries to one romp.

The Hurricanes only got on the scoresheet five minutes from time with a try to first five-eighth Jimmy Gopperth.

"What can you say...," Umaga gasped before a long pause.

"That was just a brilliant effort from the Crusaders, something we've come to expect from them."

The scene is now set for a perfect farewell for the likes of standout halfback Justin Marshall and Hewett, who have already signalled this is their final season in New Zealand.

For others, such as flanker Reuben Thorne and first five-eighth Andrew Mehrtens, it may also be their last outings in the Crusaders' red and black jerseys, as they survey their options overseas.

The Crusaders have lost in the final in each of the last two years, both times away from home.

Last night's game was effectively sealed on the stroke of halftime when winger Scott Hamilton finished off a brilliant 80m team try -- the first of a personal hat-trick -- that lifted the hosts to an 18-0 lead.

From the outset they were more dominant than in their 40-20 defeat of the Hurricanes in last weekend's final round-robin clash.

Winger Rico Gear crossed in the third minute for his 15th try of the season, moving him level with the Super 12 record season tally set by ACT Brumbies winger Joe Roff in 1997.

That try came from a turnover, one of many that were at the heart of their win.

Two penalties to Daniel Carter, part of a 22-point haul, extended the lead to 11-0 leading up to halftime, a scoreline that flattered the visitors.

However, the Hurricanes' frustration was becoming evident, particularly when lock Ross Kennedy was penalised for throwing the ball at Marshall's face.

After going through 11 phases, a Hurricanes turnover inside the Crusaders 22 let fullback Leon MacDonald launch a thrilling counter-attack which went through eight pairs of hands before Hamilton scored.

A Carter penalty and converted try inside 10 minutes of the second spell made the result safe and both teams emptied their reserve benches.

Hamilton scored his second and third tries by winning the chase of kicks ahead of a tiring defence.

After Gopperth's try, the Crusaders had the final say, prop Greg Somerville burrowing over in the final act of the game.

It was a disappointing end to the Hurricanes' season, after winning eight of 11 games in the regular season.

They were outclassed across the board, although All Blacks loose forwards Jerry Collins and Rodney So'oialo displayed high work rates and winger Ma'a Nonu looked dangerous with his limited chances.

- NZPA