The Crusaders bounced back from last week's defeat to the Highlanders in the first Semi final of the 2008 Super 14 beating the Hurricanes by 33 points to 22.
The result means that the 2008 Super 14 final will be held at the AMI Stadium in Christchurch and that means home advantage for the Crusaders.
The Crusaders were in ominous form as they completely dominated the Hurricanes in all facets of the game. The Hurricanes however started well as Zac Guildford scored the first try of the match but a few minutes later the Crusaders had taken control of the match.
In the 15th minute a Dan Carter penalty saw the Crusaders take the lead which they held for the match except for a brief moment after a Hurricanes penalty kick by Piri Weepu.
Fullback Leon MacDonald scored two tries as the Crusaders booked a place in the Super 14 rugby final for the 10th time.
MacDonald's tries either side of halftime rewarded massive advantages of territory and possession and kept the Crusaders on target for their seventh championship title since Super rugby was inaugurated in 1996.
All Blacks flyhalf Daniel Carter kicked seven goals from seven attempts -three conversions and four penalties for 18 points - to help secure a fifth home final for the Crusaders.
The Hurricanes scored a try after only two minutes when winger Zac Guildford charged down a Carter clearing kick, falling on the ball over the goalline.
Penalties by Carter in the fourth and 14th minutes retrieved the lead for the Crusaders, and the Crusaders attacked relentlessly only for the Hurricanes, on a rare forward raid, to go back ahead with a goal to Piri Weepu.
The Crusaders eventually broke down a determined Hurricanes defense in the 37th minute when MacDonald crossed and the Crusaders led 13-8 at halftime.
McDonald touched down again in the 12th minute of the second half and that signaled the end of the Hurricanes's resistance.
"It's never easy against the Hurricanes but this performance was a big step up on the last few weeks," Crusaders captain Richie McCaw said.
"We set the attitude in defense and when the chances came we were able to capitalize on them.
"It was a pretty even game but scoring that try immediately after halftime made all the difference."
The Crusaders had 84 percent of territory and 63 percent of possession in the first half and finished with 76 percent and 61 percent respectively.
Second half tries to MacDonald and flanker Kieran Read gave the Crusaders a match-winning 33-8 lead before the Hurricanes got two tries in the last three minutes to make the scoreline more respectable.
Those tries went to lock Jeremy Thrush and All Blacks prop Neemia Tialata - his first in Super 14 rugby. Replacement flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth converted the first and All Blacks flanker Jerry Collins converted the second.
"We spent pretty much all of the first half on defense and whenever we got our hands on the ball we didn't use it wisely," said Hurricanes stand-in captain Andrew Hore.
"When you have to defend for 60 minutes out of 80 minutes in any match, your chances of winning aren't very high."
Hore took over from regular captain Rodney So'oialo who was forced to pull out of the match Saturday with a rib injury.
The Crusaders's opponent in the final was to be determined by Saturday's later semifinal between the Waratahs and the Sharks.
Saturday May 24
(Australian match officials)
Referee: Stuart Dickinson
Assistant Ref 1: Matt Goddard
Assistant Ref 2: Paul Marks
TMO: Geoff Acton
Crusaders
15. Leon MacDonald,14. Kade Poki ,13. Casey Laulala ,12. Tim Bateman ,11. Scott Hamilton ,10. Daniel Carter ,9. Andrew Ellis ,8. Mose Tuiali’i ,7. Richard McCaw (Captain) ,6. Kieran Read ,5. Ali Williams,4. Brad Thorn ,3. Greg Somerville ,2. Corey Flynn ,1. Wyatt Crockett
Reserves: 16. Ti’i Paulo ,17. Ben Franks ,8. Reuben Thorne ,19. Nasi Manu ,20. Kahn Fotuali’i ,21. Stephen Brett ,22. Sean Maitland
Hurricanes
15-1- Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Zac Guildford, Willie Ripia, Piri Weepu, Chris Masoe, Masoe, Scott Waldrom, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Tim Fairbrother, Andrew Hore, John Schwalger.
