Crusaders too good for Bulls

The Crusaders have beaten the Bulls at their own game, to post a 28-13 Super Rugby qualifying final win in Christchurch.

The red and blacks dominated the match up front, with Daniel Carter playing the Morne Steyn in converting Bulls mistakes into three points.

Captain Richie McCaw says they stunted the visitors.

"They didn't get a lot of go-forward around the fringes, especially with their big runners and probably a lot of reasons for that, but the guys were certainly up, we talked about this week there was a part that we really had to stop them getting that momentum I suppose."

Daniel Carter contributed 23 points to the host's effort and says they're building nicely.

"We've worked really hard to get ourselves into this position and feel like there's a lot of self-belief and we've had the luxury, I guess, of not having to travel as much as last year so we're in a much better space."

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder says they dominated their South African counterparts up front.

"We stepped up, especially at lineout but you gotta win the contact, if you don't win the contact, you come second, and they're a good side, I mean they fought back and just showed what power they've got and experience they've got and I was really pleased with the way that we held them out."

They'll travel to meet the Chiefs on Friday after the Reds were knocked over 30-17 by the Sharks in Brisbane.

Photo: Photosport