Super 14 final 2006
McCaw praises Crusaders' defence
Scrum.com
May 27, 2006
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Crusaders captain Richie McCaw lifts the newly-crafted Super 14 trophy after his side's 19-12 win over the Hurricanes, Crusaders v Hurricanes, Super 14 final, Lancaster Park, May 27 2006.
Richie McCaw lifts the Super 14 trophy © Getty Images
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Canterbury Crudsaders captain Richie McCaw paid tribute to his team and in particular their defensive work after the defending champions annexed yet another Super Rugby title.

"(They were) unbelievable conditions to play in. I don't know what the crowd saw because it was tough out here. We knew it was going to be a grind but we got there," Crusaders skipper Richie McCaw said.

McCaw also credited the composure his team displayed in the crucial moments as critical to securing another Super rugby title.

"We were really hungry on D (defence), we forced turnovers and played at the right end of the paddock, that was the key," he said.

"We tried to keep it simple. We knew we had to keep it tighter. There were a few mistakes with the slippery ball...it wasn't pretty but getting there was great."

Hurricanes skipper Rodney So'oialo also lamented the conditions. " You could hardly see the ball, It wasn't the best conditions for the game, but the boys still played pretty well for both teams.

"Both teams were hard to crack (defensively). That little try really cost us at the end and it made us start to chase which was pretty hard especially against a team like this"

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