Crusaders playing 'finals footy'

The seven-time champion Crusaders showed what "finals footy" is all about by knocking the Bulls out in Christchurch.

The comprehensive victory was an exhibition of their highly succesful formula for knock-out rugby as they denied the Bulls any opportunities in a one-sided first half.

Captain Richie McCaw said that the first 40 minutes had set the tone, and praised his team's composure in such an important game.

"I thought that especially in those first 40 minutes we played at the right end of the field and we didn't really give them any momentum.

"All the guys showed a bit of composure and made some good decisions which resulted in points," he said.

McCaw said that a key aspect of the victory had been the efficiency his side showed on defence, which bodes well for their semifinal against the Chiefs in Hamilton next week.

"I was really pleased with the way the guys took to that, we really defended our line well and in finals footy that is what you have got to do.

"We had to do a lot of defending and those are critical moments in these knock-out games and if you let them back in then suddenly the momentum changes so it was a bit of an arm-wrestle at times and that can give you a lift," he said.