Crusaders march into semis

Defending champions the Crusaders marched resolutely into the Super Rugby semifinals on Saturday with a 40-10 demolition of the Sharks in Christchurch.

The Crusaders, in search of a ninth Super Rugby crown, underscored their status as competition favourites with 17 unanswered points in the closing stages and a fortress-like defence that restricted the Sharks to only one try.

They scored five tries of their own, extended their current winning streak to 13 and have now not lost at home to an overseas side since the opening round of 2015.

The Crusaders will host the Hurricanes next weekend in the semifinals after the Canes snatched a 32-31 win over the Chiefs in the first quarterfinal on Friday.

The Sharks felt they still had a chance when they trailed by only 13 points with 25 minutes to play before the Crusaders ran in two late tries from long range. But despite the razzle dazzle, rival captains Sam Whitelock and Ruan Botha agreed the Crusaders defence was a key difference.

“We always knew they would be big, strong and they carried very, very direct. I was just happy the boys stepped up, stayed nice and composed when it was quite tight in the middle," Crusaders Whitelock said.

Botha knew it would be a tough encounter. “Hats off to them, their defence was strong and with their attacking play they just kept on running into holes, turning our backs and putting themselves into space,” he said.