A Sanzar investigation into the allegations made during the Bulls' 32-30 victory at Loftus Versfeld by forwards Chiliboy Ralepelle and Flip van der Merwe found there was no evidence to support them. The case was closed but Blackadder was angry for weeks at what he said were slurs against all of his players.
He demanded an apology from the Bulls but none was forthcoming. On Saturday, the two teams meet again in the first Super Rugby qualifier match at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
The controversy will add frisson to the match, as if it needed any more, but Blackadder insisted today that his anger had cooled, thanks in part to a phone call about a month after the match from Bulls coach Frans Ludecke.
"We've had a good relationship with the Bulls for a long time, well before my time [as coach]," said Blackadder. "Certainly, both parties weren't happy with it [eye-gouging claims] but we've had a good chat on the phone and we've put it behind us."
There is a suspicion that the claims were designed to put the Crusaders off their game. At the time Kieran Read, who was captain in the absence of the injured Richie McCaw, called it a "kick in the guts". There is no doubt Blackadder's players will be keen to put things right on Saturday.
The Crusaders do not have a good recent record against the Bulls in playoff matches, another factor which will ratchet up the tension. However, those matches - in 2007, 2009 and 2010 - were played in Pretoria and Soweto. The South Africans are different beasts away from home, which playmaker Dan Carter acknowledged.
"We've played them over there quite a bit but to get them at home is great for us," he said.
"They're a class side no matter where they play, but it's a huge challenge travelling over there and playing against them. Their stadium is amazing and they have a very hostile crowd, which is part of the reason why they've been so successful at home."
The only injury problem in the Crusaders' camp remains No8 Kieran Read, who has damaged his rib cartilage. Blackadder today rated him "60-40 in doubt" and he would be sorely missed against a huge Bulls' pack which includes Springboks No8 Pierre Spies.
"He's still not quite right, and I'll probably internally have a really good look at our team tomorrow because I'd rather us just get prepared and get on with it," Blackadder said.
The Crusaders didn't miss Read against the lowly Force - McCaw had a strong game at No8 before being replaced at halftime, along with Carter - but they could do with his physicality against the Bulls who base their game around defence and their set piece.
McCaw is likely to stay at No8 if Read is unavailable, with Matt Todd, who played well against the Force on the openside flank, staying in the No7 jersey.
An advantage for the Crusaders is that there will be few surprises from the Bulls.
"One of their strengths is their lineout, they put so much pressure on in that set piece, a little bit like what we did to the Chiefs," said Blackadder.
"They're a very defensive oriented team, they don't mind kicking it out or box kicks and they look to tear you apart in the lineouts. Victor Matfield is coaching them, you can see his influence there. The stats tell me they've got the best defensive lineout in the competition."
The Reds host the Sharks in Brisbane on Saturday night in the other qualifier match. The Stormers and Chiefs have a bye this weekend. The winners of the qualifiers progress to the semifinals.
