The crusaders have been knocked out of the Super Rugby playoffs contention after losing 32-22 to the waratahs last nite. The Crusaders have sunk to their worst super rugby finish since 2001. It is just the 4th year in the franchises coveted history that the 7 times champion have not made the playoffs, and the first since the 2001 season when the men in red and black finished 10th. The only other seasons the Christchurch-based team have missed the playoffs were the competitions first two, in 1996 and 1997.
