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Cape Town - The Crusaders laid down yet another marker that they will be the team to beat in this year's Super Rugby tournament when they dished out a lesson to fellow New Zealand side, the Blues, in Christchurch on Saturday.
As it happened: Crusaders v Blues
The Crusaders won 54-17 after leading 19-5 at half-time.
The Crusaders scored eight tries through centre Jack Goodhue (2), wings George Bridge (3) and Seta Tamanivalu, lock Sam Whitelock and replacement scrumhalf Bryn Hall. Flyhalf Richie Mo’unga added four conversions, while replacement pivot Mitchell Hunt landed three of his own.
The Blues replied with tries by wing Melani Nanai (2) and a penalty try.
The Crusaders picked up a full-house of five points for their victory to stretch their already unassailable lead atop both the New Zealand Conference and Overall standings.
The Blues left empty-handed and will finish the season bottom of the New Zealand Conference and 14th in the Overall log.
The Crusaders await the identity of their quarter-finals opponents - either the Rebels or Sharks - to be decided after this afternoon's Sharks v Jaguares clash in Durban.
Teams:
Crusaders
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Quinten Strange, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Tim Perry
Substitutes: 16 Sam Anderson-Heather, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Donald Brighouse, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Manasa Mataele
Blues
15 Matt Duffie, 14 Melani Nanai, 13 Michael Collins, 12 Rieko Ioane, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Augustine Pulu (captain), 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ben Nee-Nee, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2 Matt Moulds, 1 Alex Hodgman
Substitutes: 16 Ross Wright, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Jacob Pierce, 20 Murphy Taramai, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 Tamati Tua
