Due to the long trip from Pretoria to New Zealand and the fact that the Bulls have not won in Christchurch since the first year Super 12 in 1996 Righfully so the Crusaders are installed as favourites for this weekends first super rugby qualifier. The two sides have never met in a final, but todays match will be their fifth knock out meeting in seven seasons with the home side winning on each occassion. Earlier this year the Crusaders almost wiped out a 16 point deficit at Loftus highlighting their never say die attitude and with the likes of McCaw and Carter who are widely regaarded as the best ever in their positions in their ranks the South Africans will need everything to go their way. On the other end of the scale the Bulls will be without the experience foursome of Matfield, Roussow, Botha and Du Preez and when it comes to the crunch, experience or the lack there of could be the deciding factor. Some Stats The overall record between the two sides sees the Crusaders ahead wi