The Wallaby coach Robbie Deans reckons the Bulls made a mistake by resting their top players last week.
That is one of the reasons why Deans, who won five Super rugby titles as coach of the Crusaders, believes the New Zealand side will beat the champions in this coming weekend’s Super 14 semifinal at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
Deans believes that the Crusaders, who are now coached by Todd Blackadder, will also benefit from the Bulls’ move from Loftus Versfeld to the unknown Orlando Stadium.
He also has a sound reason for arguing that the Bulls erred with their decision.
The Waratahs beat the Hurricanes 32-16 after leading 18-9 at halftime to secure their semi-final spot in the Super 14. The Crusaders also sent out a warning to fellow semi-finalists by comprehensively beating the Brumbies 40-22 in Christchurch on Friday
The Waratahs scored four tries through fullback Kurtley Beale (2) and wing Drew Mitchell (2). Flyhalf Berrick Barnes landed three conversions and two penalties.
The Hurricanes replied with a try by replacement wing David Smith. Scrumhalf Piri Weepu kicked a conversion and three penalties.
Richie McCaw will celebrate his 100th Super 14 game for the Crusaders against the Stormers at Newlands on Friday night.
The All Black and Crusaders captain will be playing his landmark Super 14 match against the Stormers in a game that both teams have to win after last week’s hiccups in Brisbane (Stormers) and Perth (Crusaders). The Crusaders seldom lose two games in a row, so the Stormers should be wary, and even more so now that the visitors will be trying to make it a special one for their leader.
“The Stormers will have a similar feeling to us as they were knocked over last week as well,” said McCaw.
“If we are going to be in with a shot at the end of the competition, we need to perform this week. That is the bottom line. We realise that if we are going to be in the top four, we have to win all three of the remaining games.
Vodacom Bulls 51 Auto & General Lions 11
Vodacom Bulls – Tries: Gerhard van den Heever (2), Derick Kuün, Morné Steyn, Wynand Olivier, John Mametsa; Conversions: Morné Steyn (3); Penalties: Steyn (5).
Auto & General Lions – Try: Wandile Mjekevu; Penalties: Herkie Kruger (2).
The Sharks 23 Blues 10
Scorers: The Sharks – Tries: Ruan Pienaar; Penalties: Pienaar (4), Kockott (2).
Blues – Tries: Peter Saili; Conversion: Stephen Brett; Penalty: Brett.
Chiefs 15 Vodacom Stormers 49
Chiefs – Tries: Tamerau Latimer, Tim Nanai-Williams; Conversion: Stephen Donald; Penalty: Donald.
Vodacom Stormers – Tries: Bryan Habana, Duane Vermeulen, Tiaan Liebenberg, Sireli Naqelevuki, Andries Bekker, Deon Fourie; Conversions: Peter Grant (4), Willem de Waal; Penalties: Grant (3).
Reds 19 Vodacom Bulls 12
Reds – Tries: Scott Higginbotham, Rod Davies; Penalties: Quade Cooper (3).
Vodacom Bulls – Tries: Dewald Potgieter, Pedrie Wannenburg; Conversion: Morne Steyn.
Crusaders 45 Vodacom Cheetahs 6
Crusaders – Tries: Thomas Waldrom (2), Kahn Fotuali`i, Ryan Crotty, Sean Maitland, Ben Franks, Zac Guildford; Conversions: Colin Slade (5).
Vodacom Cheetahs – Penalties: Riaan Viljoen, Meyer Bosman.
Auto & General Lions 28 The Sharks 32
Auto & General Lions – Tries: Michael Killian, Franco van der Merwe, Derick Minnie; Conversions: Herkie Kruger (2); Penalties: Kruger (3).
The Sharks – Tries: Patrick Lambie, Odwa Ndungane, Bismarck du Plessis, Jacques Botes; Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (3); Penalties: Pienaar (2).
The Vodacom Cheetahs were taught a Super 14 rugby lesson in Christchurch on Saturday by the now table topping Crusaders, getting beaten 45 – 6.
The writing was on the wall way before the game began, with the Cheetahs struggling overseas and depleted by injureies. The only question was just how bad it could go for Naka Drotske’s team against one of the form sides of the competition.
The answer came in emphatic style, as the Crusaders scored seven tries against a hapless Cheetahs attack which will be longing for the dry fields of Bloemfontein, to go to the top of the log.
Richie McCaw will make his return to no. 7 flanker on Saturday when the Crusaders face the Cheetahs in their Super 14 encounter.
As a result of a shoulder injury to Kieran Read, Thomas Waldrom takes over at number eight while George Whitelock moves over to blindside.
Meanwhile, Dan Carter has been named as the starting fly-half but he has not trained this week due ot a tightening of his adductor muscle described by coach Todd Blackadder as ‘freakish’.
Blackadder said it was in the best interests of the team’s preparation to make a decision on Friday rather than leaving it until close to kick-off.
Chiefs – Try: Brendon Leonard; Conversion: Stephen Donald; Penalties: Donald (4).
Vodacom Bulls – Tries: Gerhard van den Heever, Pierre Spies, Gary Botha, Dewald Potgieter; Conversions: Morne Steyn (2); Penalties: Steyn (3).
Blues – Tries: Serge Lilo, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko; Conversions: Stephen Brett (3).
Vodacom Stormers – Tries: Jaque Fourie, Dewaldt Duvenhage, Anton van Zyl; Conversions: Peter Grant (3); Penalties: Grant (4).
The Wallaby coach Robbie Deans reckons the Bulls made a mistake by resting their top players last week.
The 
Vodacom 
Richie McCaw will celebrate his 100th 
The Vodacom 
Richie McCaw will make his return to no. 7 flanker on Saturday when the 
