Crusaders win staggering 27th straight home knockout match to reach Super Rugby final

An impregnable defence and two tries to Cullen Grace saw the Crusaders overpower the Chiefs 20-7 in a ferocious Super Rugby semi-final in Christchurch on Friday.

The Crusaders, denied possession for long periods, were forced to make a Super Rugby record 222 tackles in a heroic performance on a wet and windy night.

The 12-times champions extended their remarkable record of never losing a home knockout match - they have now won 27 in the 27-year history of the southern hemisphere franchise championship - and will play the winner of Saturday's clash between the Blues and Brumbies in next weekend's final.

FT | @crusadersrugby are heading to their 16th #SuperRugby final. #SRPFINALS #CRUvCHI pic.twitter.com/ecbrLokwj2

The Crusaders, already without All Blacks flanker Ethan Blackadder after he dislocated a shoulder last week, had Sam Whitelock pull out before kick-off with a thumb injury and then flanker Pablo Matera was gone in the 32nd minute after picking up his second yellow card.

In the 20 minutes the Crusaders were down to 14 men they scored seven unanswered points.

Playing with the strong wind behind them they led 20-7 at half-time and then held their line playing into the wind in a scoreless second half.

"The boys love a challenge and there were times where we were down to 14 men and really had to front," captain Scott Barrett said, adding that "patience when the Chiefs had their moments" was key.

"Finals footy is about defence and there was plenty of good effort there," he said.

Chiefs captain Brad Weber found it difficult to accept defeat, saying the Crusaders' high tackle count showed his side should have scored more than one try.

"That one really hurt, there'll probably be a lot of regrets," he said.

"It's one of those ones