ðə kɹuːsˈeɪdɚz hæd fˈɪnɪʃt ðə tˈuː θˈaʊzənd sˈɪks sˈiːzən æt ðə tˈɑːp ʌvðə lˈædɚ, ænd dᵻfˈiːɾᵻd ðə bˈʊlz tə klˈeɪm ðə hˈoʊmfˈaɪnəl æz ðeɪ wɜː ðə hˈaɪɪst ɹˈæŋkt sˈaɪd.
The Crusaders had finished the 2006 season at the top of the ladder, and defeated the Bulls to claim the home-final as they were the highest ranked side.