Saturday, May 6 2006 16:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Pretoria: If there were any doubts about the Canterbury Crusaders' late season form, they were erased in emphatic style on Friday with a convincing 35-17 win over the Northern Bulls here at Loftus Versfeld.

The five points collected takes the Crusaders to the top of the Super 14 standings with just one round of matches remaining. After their performance here against South Africa's strongest team, and last hope of reaching the playoffs, they must now again be among the favourites to lift their sixth overall tournament crown.

The visitors were coming off a disappointing period that saw them draw to the Western Force and lose to the Stormers last weekend and coach Robbie Deans had stated in the build-up to the game the difficulty of playing in front of 40,000 fans in the intimidating Loftus Versfeld stadium.

He was all smiles on Friday, however, as his team once again found their stride.

The Bulls decided the best form of attack was to kick their possession away which simply allowed the dangerous Crusaders backs to run at them from all angles.

The master of the show was flyhalf Dan Carter who toyed with his direct opposite, Morne Steyn, and on a number of occasions, snaked his way through the Bulls midfield.

He got his backs moving quickly and every time the ball was sent wide, wingers Rico Gear and Caleb Ralph were asking questions of the Bulls' wingers.

The Bulls were not allowed to build up any momentum and were choked every time the big forwards tried to have a go.

It was a superb defensive effort by the visitors especially as captain Richie McCaw wasn't playing.

Nothing went in favour of the Bulls.

They battled at the scrums and lineouts, their star of the previous two weeks, Springbok Jaco van der Westhuyzen, probably produced his worst effort in ages, and too many balls were turned over in the contact.

Flanker Tanerau Latimer scored two tries, one in each half, while centre Aaron Mauger and Leon MacDonald also crossed the try line.

Carter was involved in a number of the moves that resulted in the tries, with his midfield break to set up Mauger particularly impressive.

The Bulls managed only a three-pointer in the first period, and with 15 minutes remaining were trailing 3-35 when Victor Matfield and replacement Heini Adams went in.

It restored some respectability to proceedings, but the fact is the Bulls were not in the game.

With the defeat went their slim hopes of reaching the semifinals, while the Crusaders are back on course for another final.