Richie McCaw'd reaction time tested ahead of Crusaders semi-final against the Bulls

Crusaders rugby captain Richie McCaw's reaction time was tested well before Friday's Super 14 defeat of the Brumbies...


To his horror, McCaw found his passport in a dishevelled state after going through the washing machine, but realising a trip to South Africa for the semifinals was a strong possibility, he lodged an emergency passport application on Wednesday.



A replacement arrived in time and the team left for Sydney today.



They won't leave there until tomorrow, as the third-qualifying Waratahs had first rights to business class seats for today's flight to South Africa.



The seven-time champions face the defending champion Bulls in a stellar semifinal at Soweto on Sunday morning (3am NZT), the top-qualifying South Africans sure to start favourites as they seek a third title in four years.



Acknowledgements:- NZPA

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Crusaders in Super 14 rugby competition final four - Hurricanes knocked out...

Image by rosswebsdale via Flickr

Crusaders in Super 14 rugby competition final four  -  Hurricanes knocked  out...




The Crusaders have made the Super 14 semis after a 40-22 win over the Brumbies; Hurricanes beaten by Waratahs


The Crusaders have marched on to a ninth successive Super Rugby semifinal appearance, while the Hurricanes' season has come to a sudden end.



The seven-time champions have booked their place in the top four with a bonus point 40-22 win over the Brumbies in Christchurch.



Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder says they are looking good. He is really proud that they are in the semifinals and he is confident they can go all the way if they prepare well next week.



The Crusaders semifinal opponents will be decided when the Stormers host an under-strength Bulls side in Cape Town tomorrow morning.



If the Stormers win, the Crusaders face a trip to Pretoria, but if the Bulls win, the Crusaders will face the Waratahs in Sydney.



The Crusaders will be the only New Zealand franchise in this year's semis after the Hurricanes' Super 14 hopes were shattered by the Waratahs in Sydney.



Hurricanes assistant coach Jono Phillips was left to rue a high error count after their season-ending 32-16 loss. He says they did not build anything in the first half and the Waratahs scored tries off the Hurricanes' errors.

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Brumbies Super 14 player, Shawn Mackay has died in a Durban hospital...

Brumbies Super 14 rugby player Shawn Mackay has died in a Durban hospital.

Mackay, 26, died at about 11am AEST, having suffered a cardiac arrest, a Brumbies spokesman said.

He had been in hospital, critically ill with multiple injuries, since the early hours of March 29 when he was hit by an armed response car in a Durban street.

He had shown some positive signs after being brought out of a medically induced coma late last week and underwent surgery.

"After his surgery Shawn contracted an infection in his bloodstream," said Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan.

"He deteriorated rapidly and suffered a cardiac arrest from which he didn't recover."

"It's devastating news for his family and for all of the Brumbies community.

"Our thoughts and those of the players are with his family at this most difficult time."

Mackay had been admitted to St Augustine's hospital in Durban with a cervical spinal fracture and dislocation, a fractured skull as well as a broken leg and multiple facial fractures after being struck by the vehicle.

The incident occurred about 4.15am Durban time when Mackay and a number of other Brumbies were leaving a nightclub, having wound down after their Super 14 loss to the Sharks the previous evening.

Mackay's parents, John and Leonie, and girlfriend Trish flew to South Africa on Tuesday to be by his side.

The Brumbies were flying back to Australia on Monday after completing their three-match trip to South Africa with a win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein at the weekend.