Is Graham Henry's All Black reconditioning programme to blame for New Zealand teams missing out on the Super 14 final?
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The verdict from Crusaders coach Robbie Deans and his captain Richie McCaw was clear - they were beaten by a better team in yesterday's semifinal in Pretoria.
There were no tries in the 27-12 win but the Bulls clearly took the honours through Derick Hougaard's nine successful kicks
at goal.
His 100 per cent record included a dropped goal as he continually punished the defending champions for offside infringements or failing to release the ball.
Crusaders pivot Daniel Carter kicked four penalties, missing just one shot at goal as it became obvious both teams were ready to risk penalties when their lines were threatened. McCaw was warned for repeated infringements and was sinbinned in the 58th minute by Australian referee Matt Goddard for pulling down a maul.
It was the second time in three games that the All Blacks captain has been yellow carded, the previous occasion being in the 15-6 loss to the Brumbies.
Deans, who declined to discuss his future, admitted his team ran out of answers.
"They defended really well and strangled the life out of us," he said.
"The Bulls' decision-making was outstanding - they knew exactly when to take the ball into the contact zone and when to use additional runners. While the penalty count was pretty even at the end, their penalties were often within kicking range and Derick punished us." Deans said the All Blacks' absence in the first half of the competition hurt New Zealand teams and perhaps denied them the all-important home advantage for the playoffs.
It'll be only the second time since the competition's inception in 1996 that a New Zealand team is not in the final.
In 2001 the Brumbies hosted the Sharks in the final.
New Zealand's two losing coaches were split over who would win the final.
Blues coach David Nucifora believed the Sharks had every reason to be confident but Deans said there was much to admire about the Bulls.
Nucifora reckoned the Sharks needed to stick with what had worked for them to this point.
"They've had a consistent pattern of football all year and that's why they finished on top. They play to a plan."
Deans said the Bulls had proven themselves to be excellent learners under coach Heyneke Meyer.
"They are definitely a more rounded team now [than they were on tour]," Deans said.
"I think they came back to South Africa and analysed their game. They looked at what other teams were doing successfully against them and adopted some of those tactics. Heyneke is a real student of the game and the Bulls have made a lot of progress under him. There's no doubt they can win it."
- NZPA
