Reuben Thorne lifts the 2002 Super 12 trophy
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Matches: Crusaders 31 - 13 Brumbies

Teams: Australia | New Zealand

The Crusaders' domination of southern hemisphere rugby was completed with a 31-13 win in the 2002 Super Rugby final against the Brumbies in Christchurch.

It was the Crusaders' fourth Super Rugby title after winning for three successive years from 1998-2000 and their first finals win at home. It also completed a remarkable perfect season with the Crusaders remaining undefeated in 13 games.

The win, the Crusaders' 53rd in Super Rugby, also made them the most successful team in the tournament's history, ahead of the Brumbies and Blues on 52.

After this performance, it's fair to say the Crusaders finished first and daylight second such was their domination. It's a long time since the Brumbies have been dominated like they were at Jade Stadium. The Brumbies might have reduced the Crusaders' lead to 14-13 with seven minutes remaining through an Andrew Walker intercept, but if ever a score didn't reflect the game this was it.

And as they have shown through the season, the Crusaders reply was swift. Andrew Mehrtens landed a field-goal for a 17-13 lead before winger Caleb Ralph scored twice, including an intercept, to complete a thoroughly deserved victory. The game epitomised the Crusaders in the 2002 Super 12: patient, efficient and ruthless. So dominant were the Crusaders in defence that the Brumbies could be forgiven at times for thinking the home side had a few extra men.

The Crusaders sting took its toll. The Brumbies lost five-eighth Stephen Larkham to an elbow injury in the 30th minute and as the game wore it was a weary Brumbies who limped through to the full-time whistle. There were no such problems for the Crusaders in a stunning forward performance with the backrow of Richard McCaw, Reuben Thorne and Scott Robertson devastating at the breakdown. But if there has to be one star then it was lock Chris Jack who had a mighty game to ensure his All Black jersey.

In many of the tantalising one-on-one battles that were sure to be repeated during the international season, the Crusaders finished on top. The players were greeted by temperatures nudging 0 degrees, but even with a huge wind behind them in the first half the Brumbies struggled to play any of the game in Crusaders territory.

The Crusaders aggression at the tackle throughout the game was ruthless and so effective was their disruption at the breakdown that it was a rare moment when the Brumbies got over the gain line.

Not surprisingly, the Crusaders took an 11-3 lead into half-time courtesy of a try by winger Marika Vunibaka in the 30th minute after a sweeping movement that stretched the Brumbies defence left and then right. A further penalty to Mehrtens in the 57th minute gave the Crusaders an imposing 14-3 lead and never was the victory in doubt.

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Crusaders: 31
Tries: Caleb Ralph 2, Marika Vunibaka.
Conversions: Andrew Mehrtens 3 pens, dropped goal, 2 cons.

Brumbies: 13
Tries: Andrew Walker try.
Conversions: Walker 2 pens, 1 con.

At Jade Stadium.
Referee: Andre Watson.
Crowd:36,500.