Christchurch: The defending champions Canterbury Crusaders marched resolutely into the Super Rugby semi-finals on Saturday with a 40-10 demolition of the Coastal Sharks in Christchurch.
The Crusaders, in search of a ninth Super crown, underscored their status as competition favourites with 17 unanswered points in the closing stages and a fortresslike defence that restricted the Sharks to only one try.
They scored five tries of their own, extended their current winning streak to 13 and have now not lost at home to an overseas side since the opening round of 2015.
The Crusaders will host the Wellington Hurricanes next weekend in the semi-finals after the ‘Canes snatched a 32-31 win over the Waikato Chiefs in the first quarter-final.
