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WELLINGTON, July 22 (Reuters) – The ease with which the Canterbury Crusaders dispatched the Sharks in their Super Rugby quarter-final on Saturday.
Scott Robertson's side did not play well in the season but still managed to beat a combative Sharks team 40-10.
The victory ensured a semi-final block-buster against the Wellington Hurricanes, who were seeded fourth in finish with the second-best points in the competition, next Saturday in Christchurch.
"We know how dangerous they are, we have a great rivalry," Robertson said. "It's what Super Rugby needs, to have a big semi-final like this.
"Any team that plays the Hurricanes knows to expect anything. Especially with the kind of people they have in mind. But they are a brutal side as well. "
The Hurricanes advanced to the last four after their 32-31 victory over the Waikato Chiefs in Wellington on Friday, a scoreline that flattered the visitors two minutes.
It was the type of performance that the Hurricanes had on their day, they were tough to stop and coach Chris Boyd said they had more in the tank ahead of the Christchurch clash.
"We can play better than that," Boyd said. "
In previous meetings, the Crusaders have been adept at shutting down the Hurricanes, particularly in the past. in Tch Perenara, thus negating the influence of World Player of the Year by Beauden Barrett.
Crusaders number eight Read Kieran said they would again focus on stifling supply to the Hurricanes backs.
"It's really crucial for us to give back … much quality ball," the All Blacks captain said. "The winner of the all-New Zealand semi-final will face the Lions or New South Wales Waratahs on Aug."
4, with the South Africans favored to make their third successive final.
They dominated the Jaguars in a 40-23 victory in Johannesburg, while the Waratahs were less than convincing in the Otago Highlanders 30-23 in Sydney.
The Highlanders were on top of the game when they were leading 23-6 when Winger Waisake Naholo was sinbinned for a high tackle. The Waratahs exploited the extra man to run to winch.
"We balance we played very poorly and we still won the game," waratah coach Daryl Gibson said.
"So it shows we're a good side."
Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Peter Rutherford
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