CANTEBURY — The Super 15 final is destined to be a New Zealand-South Africa showdown after the Canterbury Crusaders and Coastal Sharks steam-rolled their way into the semi-finals at the weekend.
A clinical performance by the perennial favourite Crusaders put paid to the Bulls 28-13 and set them up for a New Zealand derby semi-final next Friday against the Waikato Chiefs.
The Sharks disposed of defending champions Queensland Reds 30-17 in Brisbane to end Australia’s presence in the competition and establish an all-South Africa semi-final against the table-topping Western Stormers on Saturday.
Both the Crusaders and Sharks established their superiority with explosive starts — the Crusaders racing to a 16-0 lead before the Bulls were on the board and the Sharks were up 17-0 before the Reds scored.
