By Tournament / Super 14

Crusaders 20-12 Waratahs

They'll be one or two beers swilled in Christchurch tonight after the Crusaders gave Australia-bound coach Robbie Deans the perfect leaving present after edging a nail-biting finale in Christchurch against the Waratahs.

It was a fifth Super rugby trophy for Deans who begins the next chapeter of his rugby coaching career with the Wallabies next week.

The Waratahs battled limb from limb in the first-half, going in 12-11 ahead with young pups Lachie Turner and Kurtley Beale touching down while Crusaders Mose Tuiali'i replied for the hosts.

But in the second half, two Dan Carter penalties sandwiched by a drop-goal from the same sweet left boot sealed the Waratahs fate and with it a seventh title for the Crusaders.

There's a final going on in the southern hemisphere too, but you are excused if the Super 14 showdown between the Crusaders and the Waratahs has slipped off your radar.

Robbie Deans reckons it's going to be an "epic" with the departing Crusaders coach and the opposite number Ewan McKenzie leaving their posts after the match.

There is just the solitary change in both line-ups with Ti'i Paulo replacing Corey Flynn at hooker for the Crusaders and Tatafu Polota-Nau returning for the Waratahs.

The Waratahs have only tasted victory once in Christchurch and that was five years ago, so you'd be a brave person to tip the Aussies to claim a maiden Super 14 title - this is the ninth appearance in the final for the Crusaders.

The two teams are littered with internationals, especially in the forwards. Kurtley Beale's kicking will be under the microscope after landing near 60% of his kicks.

The two teams last met at this stage in 2005 when a 35-25 scoreline flattered the 'Tahs.

Dan Vickerman pounding into Ali Williams, Dan Carter schooling Beale, Richie McCaw going toe-to-toe with Phil Waugh - there are personal battles all over the field, making it the most tantalising final for years.

Crusaders: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Scott Hamilton, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andrew Ellis, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Richard McCaw (c), 6 Kieran Read, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: 16 Steve Fualau, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Reuben Thorne, 19 Nasi Manu, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i, 21 Stephen Brett, 22 Sean Maitland.

Waratahs: 15 Sam Norton-Knight, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Dan Vickerman, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Will Caldwell, 19 Beau Robinson, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Matt Carraro, 22 Timana Tahu.

Prediction: Crusaders to win by five points.

It's showdown time for Robbie Deans and Ewan McKenzie as home advantage paid dividends for the Crusaders and the Waratahs in the Super 14 semi-finals as they set up a mouth-watering clash in Christchurch.

Crusaders 33-22 Hurricanes

Such was the dominance of the rampant Crusaders, the open-minded Hurricanes spent 90% of the first-half on the back foot.

It was like a monsoon with wave upon wave of Crusaders attack fended off through desperation rather than structure.

Despite all the brave backs against the walls stuff, Leon MacDonald scored either side of half-time to all but seal a home final.

The Hurricanes went ahead against the run of play but once the Crusaders rediscovered their sweeping free-flowing brand of rugby that had deserted them in recent weeks, it was curtains for the 'Canes with Richie McCaw and Kieran Read turning over ball for fun.

Waratahs 28-13 Sharks

While there was only 18,000 in Christchurch, a sold out Sydney Football Stadium dismissed the woeful Sharks, bringing Dick Muir's memorable reign to a forgettable finale.

Unlike South Africa's composure in winning the Rugby World Cup, the Sharks coughed up multiples of errors with Francois Steyn creating his own sporting bloomer by allowing Lote Tuquri to pounce after spilling the ball for one of the Aussies four tries.

Seeing as McKenzie was giving his marching orders earlier in the season because they didn't play enough attacking rugby, the 'Tahs haven't done a bad job scoring tries as easily as Gordon Brown loses votes.

We know coaches always harp on about experience, but given these two teams are so evenly matched, a few grey hairs might prove all the difference.

The back-row battle should be fascinating with warriors Phil Waugh, Wycliffe Palu and Rocky Elsom aiming to nullify the in-form Sharks marathon runners Ryan Kankowski and Jacques Botes.

The Sharks narrowly missed out by a photo-finish last year and their conservatism this season has stood them in good stead.

Both sides have their hot-heads, none more so than Epi Taione, who makes the bench for the Sharks, not to mention Francois Steyn, even with his sore ribs, can be culpable to losing his rag from time to time.

It will either be Ewan McKenzie's or Dick Muir's last game in charge, so the odd tear    or perhaps a clenched fist thrust into the air, could provide as much action on the bench as the war on it.

On Ewan's wish list, a deluge of rain would be nice! Dick' forecast preference, about 20 degrees with a slight tail wind ready for a 60m Steyn drop-goal.

Prediction: Sharks to win by 3 points


Isn't it weird that top team, and ever present owners of top spot should come into the game a bit out of sorts.

The Hurricanes are an enigma - one week they're unbeatable bordering on constant applause, running in tries from all angles, the next they represent the placidity of the Atlantic Ocean on breathless summer's day.

Richie McCaw and Dan Carter are the fulcrum for the Crusaders, but Chris Masoe has been in fine feather and has probably already donned the napkin, ready for the  first tackle.

Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith are the best centre partnership in the competition but are likely to both miss out on the All-Black jersey so there's no shortage of motivation there.

Doubts remain over inspirational Hurricanes skipper, Rodney So'oialo, who has been 'bracketed' - nothing to do hinges and shelving we can assure you - his absence might have something to do with a dodgy DIY job the missus has got him doing, but it will be a surprise if the dread-locked No.8 doesn't make the cut.

Prediction: Crusaders to win by 6 points.

Western Force 29-22 Brumbies

Talk about leaving it late! This season's better late than never specialists the Force came from 22-0 down, illustrating how much pride means to the Aussies. If this was evidence of how the Wallabies plan to go about things then Robbie Deans is a lucky man, although the defence might need sharpening up. Eight tries were scored in total with Perth nipper James O'Connor starring outside Matt Giteau.

Blues 19-17 Hurricanes

The Blues won the battle but the 'Canes claimed the war after holding onto fourth spot in the ladder. Hosea Gear's double wasn't enough as Nick Evans metronomic boot kept the Blues in touch. It was pleasing news for Graham Henry to see fringe players stepping up with Ma'a Nonu sparkling yet again, Jerome Kaino and Kevin Mealamu smashing through anything while youngster Anthony Boric stood out alongside his try.

Lions 13-22 Stormers

Another missed opportunity cost Rassie Erasmus' boys a semi-final spot, but they were lucky to get the win in the end after relying on Sireli Naqelevuki and Robbie Diack to seal a dramatic win. One more try, a bit more urgency and some guts following Jean De Villiers mould would've been enough but it's been a steady season all the same.

Cheetahs 20-60 Bulls

If only the Bulls started the season the way they finished. On current form, they are the best in the business, but it's a premature shower for the champions. There was only one-point in it at half-time but Bryan Habana and Akona Ndungane both touched down twice in the second half while Morne Steyn helped himself to 25 points.

Highlanders 26-14 Crusaders

Dead rubber?! No such thing when it comes to a derby and the brutes from Otago tackled as if their lives depended on it. The champions-elect were off the pace, while Craig Newby got a thoroughly deserving send-of, which also brings fresh hope for next season. Overall verdict: The kids done alright!

Reds 11-18 Waratahs

The unlikelihood of an Australian finalist all of a sudden looks realistic. Semi-final destiny was in their own hands and first-half tries for Dean Mumm and Wycliff Palu only served to raise the temperature as the midweek shenanigans and pleasantries were brought to boiling point in this old-school state derby with David Croft and Phil Waugh first to party.

Sharks 47 - 25 Chiefs

The Sharks will head to Sydney in the semi-finals after bringing down the curtain on the regular season with an all-embracing performance against the Chiefs in a highly entertaining play-off showdown. The Sharks only need to score four tries but made sure with seven five-pointers with Ryan Kankowski bagging a double.