Semi to forget, final to dread

Waratahs 23 Bulls 13

As intoxicating as the Crusaders were in reaching the Super 12 final, the other semifinal may have turned some to drink.

About the strongest compliment the Waratahs could dredge up about themselves was that their defence held firm against the visiting Bulls, one of the more predictable attacking outfits in the series.

It was a victory for tenacity rather than efficiency.

The Waratahs' lineout wilted, their error rate was high, they failed to deliver any great impetus - it was just that the Bulls were worse.

No wonder Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie thought he would have to retrieve the master videotape of the game and bury it.

His side made the final for the first time. But they contributed to their struggle as their lineout wobbled and they battled to clear the ball in the final quarter.

The Bulls did not have enough clues or clout to make the kill but the Crusaders will not be as benign.

They punish opponents. Given a few chances they dismember them - as they did the Hurricanes.

McKenzie might also entomb all recordings of the Crusaders' epic 47-7 semifinal victory because a repeat viewing would give the Waratahs the shakes before Saturday's final in Christchurch.

But as Crusaders' coach Robbie Deans would say, the semis are history, all that matters is the final.

New match, new circumstances, clean slate. Or is it?

Certainly the teams start even but on the evidence of the semifinals they do not appear evenly matched.

There is a thrust and cohesion about the Crusaders which is not so apparent with the Waratahs. However, the visitors do have statistics which show they have the stingiest defence in the series.

But put into a sudden-death test on Friday, the Crusaders showed how miserly they could be.

They can also slap on tries with much greater ease than the Waratahs. When the sides met in round six, the Waratahs were unbeaten and coming off a comfortable win against the Bulls.

The Crusaders were returning after a bye but managed to inflict the Waratahs' first defeat of the season, 33-27 in Sydney.

It was a setback but the 'Tahs will probably suggest they softened up the Crusaders who promptly lost to the Bulls in Pretoria. Home advantage will be a boon for the Crusaders as will the extra day they have to recover while the Waratahs were a sore squad yesterday after multiple collisions with the human tractors from the high veldt.

While the teams had the day off, McKenzie and Deans were back in their offices analysing their rivals and sorting out strategies for the final game in Super 12 history.

This match is much more likely to see a duel between Richie McCaw and Phil Waugh have some effect, whereas the Bulls kept the ball off the ground to negate the Waratahs' openside flanker.

The Waratahs were also rattled in the lineouts but they will feel they can place far more pressure on the Crusaders' jumpers and the throwing of Corey Flynn.

The visitors will also look to the power of David Lyons to question the midfield tackling of Daniel Carter and Aaron Mauger.

The Crusaders will look wider for inroads against Morgan Turinui or on the right flank against new wing Peter Hewat and Mat Rogers.

Hewat has been a superb introduction for the Waratahs with his goalkicking and ability to sniff out tries. However, he does lack real pace and can be exposed in defence.

* Crusaders v Waratahs, Jade Stadium, Christchurch, 7.30pm Saturday