The first qualifying final of a blockbuster night of Super Rugby will see the Bulls fly to Christchurch to take on the Crusaders. Join us for live scores and updates from 5.35pm AEST.
It’s no surprise that the Crusaders are heavy favourites leading into the encounter. The franchise has dominated Super Rugby since its inception and this year has been no different.
Their team for Saturday night boasts no less that ten All Blacks, along with a further two on the bench.
The Crusaders have only lost a finals match in New Zealand once and that was all the way back in 2003, against Carlos Spencer’s legendary Blues outfit.
In stark contrast, the Bulls have never won a final outside of South Africa.
The Bulls will head to New Zealand with some comfort, knowing that they beat the Crusaders in their last encounter in round seven. In fact, they have beaten the Crusaders in four out of five of their last encounters.
However, all the victories have been in South Africa and they will know that it will be whole different kettle of fish when they run out onto Rugby Park on Saturday night.
Eye gouging allegations from their last encounter have also been smouldering away, fuelling a bitter and intense rivalry.
Surprisingly, the post-Bakkies Bulls team were the ones pointing their fingers at the Crusaders that night.
This will surely add to the drama with the Crusaders probably relishing the chance to get even for the unsubstantiated, character damaging claims directed at them.
Both teams are at full strength with the only notable injury for the Crusaders being Kieran Read. He is well covered though, with Richie McCaw shifting to the back of the scrum to make room for Matt Todd on the open-side flank.
Pierre Spies will sniff an opportunity to test McCaw in a relatively unfamiliar position, however the All Black stalwart should be up to the challenge.
Both teams boast world-renowned goal kickers, capable of slotting penalties and drop-goals from anywhere inside their opponents half.
But both Morne Steyn and Dan Carter have been uncharacteristically off with the boot in recent times.
Finals rugby is a tight and tough affair and a good or bad day with a boot will be a telling factor in the outcome of this match.
Make sure you don’t a miss a moment of the action by joining us here for live scores and updates starting 5.30pm AEST.
guinness14
Guest
OMG, talk about a WHINGER. Mate the RWC is over, get a grip. The Crusaders played a good game, the Bulls were poor on the night. Why don't you change sport and watch some thing like bowls or take up a craft like scrap booking, and let those who appreciate rugby for what it is. AB, Crusaders and Western Force supporter.
Sylvester
Guest
I'm not complaining about the treatment of one side or the other. Both sides were culpable. I'm suggesting if he's going to penalise so heavily, he might have thought of some early deterrence to save the game as an attacking spectacle.
Can't believe you are complaining, the Bulls were pingedcall over the park, and yes somtimes a bit unfairly as well, even Justin Marshall thought so. The Crusaders won and weren't done in by the South African referee. Geez no satisfying some supporters.
Sylvester
Guest
Good intensity at the breakdown from the Crusaders, but if they kick the ball away aimlessly like they did in the second half the Chiefs will not be as forgiving. For me, Peyper allowed the game to be killed as a spectacle. How can a team concede 14 or 15 penalties, most in their own half and not even be warned let alone carded? Once the Crusaders cottoned on to the fact it was open season on killing the ball as well, that was it. Is this how we want the semis and finals to be reffed?
Johnno
Guest
Thanks rev, i will have a prayer and move on, good advice mate.
Rev
Guest
Johno... U can't really say this game was disappointing when every game in the Australian conference ( bar the one last week) has been dull and pathetic... So to me u wouldn't no a good game if it hit u on the head... And johno the world cup is done and dusted learn to move on, sure France could have won.... But the wallabies were never going to so move on cause it's bad for ur health
atlas
Guest
Bulls? i thought I was watching the Waratahs. Poor showing; and again the Crusaders looked sloppy at times, lost that mean streak.
Johnno
Guest
Kuruki you a typical kiwi. You probably thought Craig joubert's referiing in the RWC grand final was acceptable, and the rest of the world are just whingers about the all blacks winning the world cup and sour grapes. HHA HA. Im sure book fans, and wallabies and the french fans think otherwise. Kiwis ay when ever i meet a kiwi now i just laugh and go dodgy kiwi i have some kiwi friends and i basically just say straight up dogy kiwi. The ref was a book but like the french, the AB'S and saders got the rub of the green as per usual, and the classic coincidence that pest , or should i say pest to the rest of the world Mccaw was at it again, what an annoying guy macaw is to the rest of the world kuruki , except too you lot form the long lost cloud.
Emric
Guest
What happened to the Bulls they are a far far better side then they showed tonight. I was disappointed
If this match doesn't convince Heyneke Meyer he needs to look away from Morne Steyn, Wynand Olivier, Zane Kirchner, etc he never will. Congratualtions to the Crusaders, your execution at the breakdown was superb.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Maybe you were only watching one team play Johnno. The Crusaders played a very good game. They smashed into the breakdown all night and dominated with numbers and aggression. They had a very good scrum all night and Carter was very good controlling the game and taking the points on offer. The rugby was not as fluent as it could have been in the backs but finals rugby never is. I guess the Crusaders winning would be anti climatic to anyone hoping their side will win the title this year.
ArtVandelay
Roar Guru
Crusaders 28-13 Bulls Full Time Well it was a mammoth first half from the Crusaders that really shut the Bulls out of the game. The Bulls couldn't match their intensity at the breakdown and a poor performance from Steyn gave them little opportunity to control the tempo of the match. While they looked unstoppable at times, it was far from a perfect performance from the Crusaders with a few uncharacteristic handling errors and the backline not gelling 100%. Two missed penalty kicks from right in front and missing touch twice as well will not be as easily forgiven against the Stormers or Chiefs next week. Let us know who your man of the match was. The Crusaders put in a solid 15man performance but if I had to choose their best player, I'd have to give it to Morne Steyn.
Red Kev
Guest
Well the Crusaders look like will be hard to beat next week, that was a good performance. A few poor kicking options but otherwise clinical.
Johnno
Guest
I love rugby my no1 sport but that was a very boring game of rugby, not fun at all, was all anti climatic, the match never really flowed hardly running rugby or gridning rugby just sloppy and boring and lots of mistakes. I hope the reds vs sharks is ,more exciting. That really was a boring game very disappointed with the 1st semi fina, i hope the reds match is a better ad for rugby
ArtVandelay
Roar Guru
Crusaders 28-13 Bulls 80' The siren goes as the ball sails over the cross bar. The Crusaders get a comprehensive victory over a disappointing and at times diabolical Bulls side.
ArtVandelay
Roar Guru
Crusaders 25-13 Bulls 79' Well I don't think anyone would have picked that the Bulls would score more tries in the game. The Bulls fumble the ball into touch from the restart, that really sums up their night. Another penalty for slowing the ball down at the ruck and Carter will pop it over from right in front on the 22m line.
ArtVandelay
Roar Guru
Crusaders 25-13 Bulls 74' Bulls have the penalty advantage as they move it wide. Englebrecht looks threatening again the midfield, he has shone in a lazy looking Bulls backline tonight. The Bulls 2m out now. Fouche throws a shocking pass to nobody with an overlap outwide. It pays off though as Kirchner tidies up and off loads to Olivier who goes in for a try. Whitlock rushed up their to try pounce of the loose ball which opened up the hole. The conversion bounces back off the posts.
ArtVandelay
Roar Guru
Crusaders 25-8 Bulls 'The benches are emptied now as Steyn is replaces by Fouche. Fouche finds a good touch with his first kick. Bulls lineout now on the Crusaders 22m. They maul again.
ArtVandelay
Roar Guru
Crusaders 25-8 Bulls 73' The Bulls still persist with high ball! Dagg isnt complaining. The Crusaders clear and the Bulls promptly kick it back to them, I am speechless. The Bulls must really just be going through the motions now.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Very poor showing from the Bulls in such a big game. Rub if the green went with the home side which didn't help but the Bulls were never in the game. Morne Steyn had a poor night out by his standards and the Crusaders pack dominated at the breakdown. Very hard to understand the tactics of the Bulls when they needed to chase 14+ points in as many minutes they continued to kick the ball away. Good game from the Crusaders pack and they will be hard to beat.