All Black captain Richie McCaw said the intensity of the start made by his Crusaders in their 28-13 victory over the Bulls was crucial to the outcome.

The Crusaders blew the Bulls away in the first half of the match and forced them to make 74 tackles compared to the the Crusaders 24.

"In the first 40 minutes we played at the right end of the field," said McCaw after the match.

"We didn't give them any momentum."

"We limited our mistakes and our discipline was good and because of that we applied pressure," he said.

"We had to defend our line a couple of times in the first half and then again in the second and in finals footy that's what you've got to be able to do and I thought all the guys showed good composure."

Bulls captain Pierre Spies said they were then made to pay dearly as the penalties flowed against them.

"The Crusaders kept putting us under pressure and they put points on the board and they played really well. "

"We came back and scored some points but the Crusaders were too good tonight."