Crusaders thrash Hurricanes in Super 12 semi-final

Hurricanes captain Tana Umaga is lined up by Aaron Mauger tonight. Picture / Fotopress

The Crusaders set themselves up for a fifth Super 12 title by crushing the hapless Hurricanes 47-7 in Christchurch tonight.

While the Crusaders started favourites for the semifinal at Jade Stadium, few would have predicted such a one-sided affair, with the hosts scoring six tries and very nearly keeping a clean sheet in a stunning display of power and efficiency.

The Hurricanes were never in the hunt, making silly mistakes from the start of the match and failing to retain possession against marauding opponents who pressured them at every breakdown.

Defending with intensity and scrummaging strongly, the Crusaders clamped control in the opening exchanges.

Flanker Richie McCaw was a relentless menace at the tackle while halfback Justin Marshall was at the heart of the Crusaders' numerous counter-attacks.

The 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.

Victory maintained the Crusaders' remarkable record, having never lost a Super 12 semifinal in seven appearances.

They will chase a fifth title in the 10th and final year of the Super 12, next weekend hosting either the New South Wales Waratahs or South Africa's Bulls, depending on who wins the semifinal at Sydney tomorrow night.

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

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

W inger 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.

Hurricanes first five-eighth Jimmy Gopperth crossed for a consolation try with five minutes remaining but 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 tonight, 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.

Crusaders 47 (Scott Hamilton 3, Rico Gear, Daniel Carter, Greg Somerville tries; Carter 3 pen, 4 con)
Hurricanes 7 (Jimmy Gopperth try; Gopperth con)

Halftime: 18-0

- NZPA