Match Reports

A brave Crusaders performance ended cruelly in a 40-35 defeat to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld today, a late controversial try gifting victory to the home team.

It was one of the best efforts from a Crusaders team over the last two years. They looked a threat every time they got the ball and the Bulls only just hung on, mainly through their goalkicker Morne Steyne, who kicked 25 points.

Francois Hougaard scored a late try after the hooter but the ball was passed forward by hooker Derrick Kuun, hit Owen Franks' hand and then Kuun's head, before making its way to Hougaard, who received it in an offside position.

It was a sad way for the Crusaders to lose and in truth they thoroughly deserved to win the match. They played most of the rugby and the defensive effort was also superb.

Richie McCaw was again outstanding - both on attack and defence. And the way he kept his composure in the face of some confusing calls from referee Marius Jonker was admirable.

The two bonus points the Crusaders scored keeps them in the hunt for a semi-final spot. Friday night's game against the Brumbies at AMI Stadium is a must-win. The Brumbies are also in with a chance to make the play-offs, so it's in effect a quarter-final.

A big crowd is assured and the Crusaders deserve nothing less. They scored four tries through Brad Thorn, Andy Ellis, Sean Maitland and Ti'i Paulo.

Dan Bowden's inclusion at second-five was a masterstroke by the coaches. He added a different subtlety to the attack and he was also strong on defence.

The Crusaders wanted to play the game at a high tempo and with width. The Bulls had little answer to this and struggled to stay in the game.

Steyn gave them the lead after a minute when Ben Franks was penalised for dumping Dannie Roussow in a tackle and the Crusaders had a chance to draw level five minutes later but elected to run the ball.

A turnover after nine minutes gave them their first try. The ball was picked up by Chris Jack and Paulo featured strongly with a fend on Victor Matfield to put Thorn over.

Referee Jonker was harsh on Wyatt Crockett at scrum time. Steyne kicked a scrum penalty to close the gap but the Crusaders were cutting loose, Dan Carter, in one of this best games of the season, stepping off his left foot and fending off prop Werner Kruger to put Ellis over for another converted try.

A Roussow high tackle on Kieran Read put him in the bin after an earlier high shot on Ellis. The Crusaders won the resulting lineout from the penalty only for it to be called not straight. It was the first of two such calls - both lineouts were claimed by McCaw, and the Crusaders were mystified as to why they weren't allowed.

A Steyne drop goal from near halfway closed the gap to 9-14 after 22 minutes.

Good work by Ellis going blindside from a scrum led to a promising run by Maitland but Colin Slade was tackled near the line.

It prefaced Maitland's excellent try after 28 minutes. The Crusaders won a lineout near halfway and the backs combined superbly to put Maitland over in the corner. Carter, Bowden, Slade and blindside winger Zac Guildford were involved in a fantastic display of attacking running.

Hougaard scored his first try after half an hour, halfback Fourie du Preez winning the ball in a ruck from an offside position before the ball was quickly moved to Hougaard.

Steyne missed the conversion and another penalty before making no mistake with another - 17-19 to the Crusaders.

Matfield scored a try after combining well with fellow lock Roussow in one of the few defensive mistakes by the visitors.

Steyne's conversion gave the Bulls the halftime lead 24-19.

Owen Franks replaced Crockett at halftime - to negate the penalties against his team.

The half was only minutes old when Paulo scored his try following good buildup work by Thorn. Ellis saw the potential near the breakdown and put Paulo in, who scored on the line in the tackle.

Fantastic defensive work by McCaw and Thorn kept the Bulls out, with Guildford clearing to touch.

McCaw was penalised for a high tackle and Steyne put the Bulls ahead again 27-26.

A Carter drop goal put the Crusaders ahead 27-29.

Guildford showed his defensive qualities when holding wing Gerhard van den Heever up over the line.

The lead changed hands yet again when Steyn kicked a penalty to make it 30-29.

Carter responded when Van den Heever was penalised and sent to the bin for in the 73rd minute when picking up and dumping replacement Tim Bateman. The score - 30-32.

A Steyn drop goal gave the Bulls the lead again 33-32 before a quick tap to Thomas Waldrom put the Crusaders on the move and the Bulls were penalised at the resulting breakdown, Carter kicking the penalty from over 51m to give the Crusaders a 33-35 lead.

The Bulls then benefitted from a couple of kind decisions - two attacking scrums which should have been Crusaders put ins. In a frantic last two minutes McCaw charged down a Steyn drop goal attempt before Hougaard's controversial finish.

Head coach Todd Blackadder said afterwards: ''I'm really proud of our guys. Every single one of them stood up today and played well.''

Bulls - Tries: Francois Hougaard 2, Victor Matfield. Cons: Morne Steyn 2. Pens: Steyn 5. DGs: Steyn 2.

Crusaders - Tries: Brad Thorn, Andy Ellis, Sean Maitland, Ti'i Paulo. Cons: Dan Carter 3. Pens: Carter 2. DG: Carter.

HT: Bulls 24-19

Kickers:
Bulls - Steyn 7 from 9 and 2 DGs from 2 attempts.

Crusaders - Carter 6 from 8 and 1 DG from 1 attempt.

Crusaders:
1. Wyatt Crockett (Owen Franks HT)
2. Ti'i Paulo
3. Ben Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. Chris Jack (Sam Whitelock 58min)
6. George Whitelock (Thomas Waldrom 58)
7. Richie McCaw (c)
8. Kieran Read
9. Andy Ellis
10. Dan Carter
11. Zac Guildford
12. Dan Bowden (Kahn Fotuali'i 76)
13. Robbie Fruean (Tim Bateman 49)
14. Sean Maitland
15. Colin Slade (Jared Payne 70)

Reserves not used:
16. Dan Perrin