What is the secret to the Champions' success?

The New Zealand side were undefeated in this year's tournament - winning 13 from 13 - making them the first team to finish the season with a 100% record.

Victory over the Brumbies on Saturday capped a remarkable campaign, in which they notched up an incredible 534 points.

By half-time the Crusaders looked on course to claim the title, but a spirited comeback in the second period saw the Brumbies cut their lead to just a single point.

The Crusaders then took control, and 17 points in the final 8 minutes was enough to seal the win and the title.

Why are the Champions so strong and what will it take to beat them next season?

I don't think you'll see another Super 12 team achieve what the Crusaders have this season, in a very long time. They are the best club side in the world.
Tom Lopez, England

The Crusaders are the only decent team in the Super 12. The rest, particularly the South Africans, are there to make up the numbers. Let's hope the RFU can schedule the ultimate north/south game between the Crusaders and Leicester Tigers!
Mark Smith, Leicester, UK

Ok, so the Kiwis have won another S12, but this hardly translates into international glory. The All Blacks have not held the Bledisloe Cup since 1997, despite numerous S12 successes.

Don't count your chickens (which are birds that can at least fly) before they hatch, o'lovely cousins.
Iain Ross, Australia

What a fantastic team - how good would it be to see the Crusaders line up against Leicester next weekend. Smart money would have to be on the Crusaders. Arguably one of the best teams in the world - national teams included.

Let's hope the All Blacks - boosted by this Canterbury squad's dominance - can repeat the success of all of NZs other teams (U19s, Womens, Sevens) and win the world title.
Aiden, UK/NZ

Let's face it, Super12 and rugby union in Australia is dying. They have to poach big name rugby league stars to try and compete with the infinitely more appealing National Rugby League. No-one cares if they are invincible or not.
Nick Cartwright, UK

The Crusaders are the best rugby team in the world. Good balance of players and there were no wickest link in the squad. No wonder 500,000 fans lined the streets of Christchurch for today's parade. Also, 15 Crusaders were named in the All Blacks squad for the upcoming tests against Italy and Ireland and the toughest rugby series in the world, the Tri-Nations.
Ricky Steward, USA

A New Zealand side should be expected to dominate. Union plays second fiddle to rugby league in Australia and money will keep the Kiwis ahead of the South African sides. However it's hard to see Auckland staying down for long.
Steve, UK

The Aussies like to bleet and tell the world how good they are, but it's great when they lose. It's the only time they have nothing to say, more and more like the us every day! I don't see the Crusaders being beaten by many sides in the world.
Roger, UK

Teamwork is the simple answer but also the decision to take the World Cup away from New Zealand has fired the Kiwi players up no end particularly against Australian teams. I saw the demolition of the Waratahs and can only dream that a similar fate awaits the Wallabies at the hands of the All Blacks!
Gerald Ginther, New Zealand

Good to see the Aussies lose something!
Tim Jarvis, England

The Crusaders were simply too powerful throughout the season and deservedly won the game by a margin which looked unlikely eight minutes from the end when one point separated the sides.

Some might say this was a dress-rehearsal for a possible semi-final clash at next year's World Cup as the majority of both sides on show tonight will almost certainly make their respective national sides for next year's showdown in Sydney!

The Canterbury Crusaders' record of four Super 12 titles in the past seven years pays tribute to one of, if not the best, provincial selection, coaching and supported side in the world. Those of us living in Auckland might see the Canterbury fans as one-eyed but why wouldn't they be supporting a side of this calibre week after week.

Chris Jack proved he is now perhaps the best lock in the world and Mehrtens' kicking and line-breaks were as always world class. Roll on the World Cup!
Stewart A Rix, New Zealand