The Crusaders' monumental defensive performance to hold off a relentless - albeit flawed - Chiefs attack has stamped the southerners' ticket to next weekend's Super Rugby Pacific final.
The perennial title contenders had an answer for every Chiefs foray into their red zone at Christchurch, making a Super Rugby record-breaking 254 tackles to prevail 20-7 in miserable conditions at Christchurch's OrangeTheory Stadium.
The display has left coach Scott Robertson needing a moment of reflective pause on what he confessed had already been an "emotional day" - the victory marked his milestone 100th game as Crusaders coach in ideal fashion.
"I think heart sums it up - the care and how deep we went," Robertson said. "We just kept getting up for each other.
"It was a game built on effort and care. I'm extremely proud."
Reduced to 14-men for 30 minutes of the game, after flanker Pablo Matera was dealt a pair of yellow cards that turned into a red, the Crusaders defenders scrambled to stifle a Chiefs offence that lacked the calmness and accuracy to execute in critical moments, blowing a handful of tries with poor handling and passing.
Despite having just 35 percent of possession and lacking their typical fluency on attack, the Crusaders - as they so often do - found a way to win.
"We do a lot of work on mental strength, and making sure we stay in the fight and understand that if we have to go deep, we will," Robertson said. "A lot of things could have been better, but we still found a way."
The Crusaders were also dealt a cruel late blow with the scratching of talismanic forward Sam Whitelock, who was forced to withdraw with a thumb injury suffered during the quarter-final win over the Reds.
Robertson says it's too early to say whether the All Black lock would be available for next week's final, but remains positive about his chances.
"We gave him every opportunity, right to the end, but it wasn't quite right,'' he said. "Hopefully, it heals for next week.
"He's a Whitelock. Anything can happen."
The situation is similar for hooker Codie Taylor. The All Blacks No.2 will be kept under close observation, after withdrawing at halftime with a calf injury.
He was replaced by Brodie McAlister, who delivered a standout performance off the bench.
The outlook is decidedly worse for Matera. The Argentinian received one yellow card for a professional foul, then another for dangerous contact to Chiefs first-five Bryn Gatland, which automatically escalated to a red.
He'll likely face the judiciary and may have played his final game for the Crusaders, with his future next season still undecided.
Robertson is hopes the grey area around dual yellow cards will see Matera available for next week, disputing referee Nic Berry's decision on the second yellow card.
"What Pablo did, I thought personally, was a penalty,'' Robertson said. "It wasn't a red card.
"We are hopeful he will be available.''
Crusaders players and fans alike will cross their fingers the Brumbies can upset the Blues at Eden Park in Saturday's second semi-final, which would see the southerners host next week's final.
Join us at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the Blues v Brumbies Super Rugby Pacific semi-final
