The Bulls are my favourites to win the Super 14 final on Saturday after seeing off defending champions Crusaders in their 27-12 semi-final win amidst a sea of blue on their home ground.  The Bulls outplayed the Crusaders in virtually every phase of the game to set up a thrilling all-South African final against the Sharks in Durban.

Although the Crusaders were able to level the score through most of the first half with penalty kicks, the Bulls pulled away easily on the boot of first-five Derick Hougaard and a swarming defence that kept the Crusaders on the back foot all day.  Neither side mounted much of a sustained offence, with all points coming on kicks.  At the high elevation of Pretoria, almost any penalty conceded within midfield was within the extended range of Hougaard, who slotted eight of them along with a drop goal, and Crusaders first-five Daniel Carter, who hit four of five penalties after a missed drop-goal attempt in the third minute.

In forward play, the Bulls out-muscled the Crusaders in scrums, challenged effectively in line-outs, and were consistently more aggressive in loose play, producing a number of turnovers and drawing penalties from Crusaders trying to slow play.  The Bulls back row of Pedrie Wanneburg, Wikius van Heerden, and Pierre SPies, together with captain lock Victor Matfield, repeatedly made the gain line in set pieces and loose play alike.

For the Crusaders, only No 8 Mose Tuiali'i and a single run by Chris Jack showed any evidence of offensive power up front, while on defence, the Crusader pack was late to breakdowns.  Former All Black captain Reuben Thorne was ineffective at blind-side flanker.  Certainly his experience is an asset, but in this game, the Crusaders would have been better off with the speed and work rate of young Kieran Read, who replaced Thorne well into the second half.

In the back line, the Bulls played a fairly conservative game, relying on forwards to support multiple phases up the middle of the field and Hougaard kicking for position.  By contrast, the usually creative combinations of Carter and Crusader center Aaron Mauger failed to break through the Bulls defence, while the back three of Capeb Ralph, Leon McDonald, and Rico Gear were unsteady under high ball and continually running themselves into touch on attack.  Never did the Crusaders find their customary rhythm of attacking tactical kicking, due either to a misguided game plan or a well-prepared Bulls side that took away their angles.

All in all, it was a clean, hard-fought game.  Although surely a Super 14 semi-final without a try scored ranks as a bit of a disappointment, no one can take away the tremendous effort and teamwork of the Bulls in establishing and maintaining the upper hand throughout the match.  If the Bulls can bring this same level of play to Durban, the Sharks will be in big trouble.