McCaw punts on the Chiefs for title

It may just be patriotism or it could be a genuine belief in his vanquishers' ability to go all the way.

Crusaders captain Richie McCaw will happily punt a few dollars on the Chiefs to win their first Super Rugby title, after they reached their second Final with a 20-17 win over their compatriots on Friday.

Although the Chiefs still have to wait for the outcome of the second semifinal - between the Stormers and Sharks in Cape Town on Saturday - to know who their opponents are in the Grand Finale, McCaw has no doubt the Chiefs have the ability to knock over any opposition.

McCaw admitted his side were "a few notches off" their best, but was full of praise for the Chiefs.

"That's always the challenge in sport, but if they're able to get to that level again, then there's no reason that they can't," he told a media scrum in Hamilton.

McCaw said the Chiefs' ability to win quick ruck ball proved decisive, especially in the first half when they scored both their tries - through prop Sona Taumalolo and flank Liam Messam.

"And they ran particularly hard at us, guys like Liam [Messam] and Sonny [Bill Williams], and when you're a bit flat footed, they're hard men to tackle."