Crusaders hand Cheetahs a lesson

The Crusaders' Daniel Carter evades the tackle of Gareth Krause and heads for a try during tonight's Super 14 match at Jade Stadium. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

Crusaders 53 Cheetahs 17

The Crusaders machine rolled relentlessly on in Christchurch tonight, crushing the hapless Cheetahs 53-17 in a Super 14 rugby master class.

The gulf between the sides was like a chasm at Jade Stadium as the Crusaders purred over for seven tries to two and extended their lead atop the standings.

Their ninth win from nine was arguably their easiest this season, opening up a 32-10 halftime lead which allowed coach Robbie Deans the luxury of resting star forwards Chris Jack and Richie McCaw for much of the second half.

First five-eighth Daniel Carter scored two tries and kicked eight from nine for a personal haul of 28 points.

He was also at the heart of the Crusaders' expansive style, playing with width and keeping the ball alive at all costs throughout.

By contrast their South African opponents, eighth coming into this weekend, missed 22 tackles made basic mistakes.

The Cheetahs' muscular pack provided some headaches at lineout and maul time but elsewhere they were largely one-dimensional.

Crusaders captain McCaw was pleased his side maintained their intensity for longer than in recent games.

"We're happy that we carried on with the job. We've been at the same place at halftime in the last couple of weeks and we wanted to carry on," McCaw said.

"For most of that second half we used the ball pretty well and didn't make many mistakes."

Carter said he was enjoying playing in a team who were on top of their game and hoped it would continue away from Jade Stadium.

"We've got a lot of self-belief within the side and I think it's showing out there. We've got a tough three weeks on the road now and we're looking forward to it," he said.

"A lot of new faces were thrown into the team this week and they played well."

The Cheetahs also suffered heavy losses to the New South Wales Waratahs and ACT Brumbies this month and Cheetahs skipper van der Merwe said they were on a steep learning curve.

"High standards are needed and we're going to go back to the drawing board this week," he said.

"The Crusaders are a quality side. If you give them turnover ball it's going to be a nightmare on defence. There are still too many first-up tackles missed and too many turnovers lost. We have to work on that."

Cheetahs first five-eighth Willem de Waal gave his side their only lead at 3-0 through an early penalty before No 8 Mose Tuiali'i barged over for the Crusaders' first try.

Carter's two subsequent penalties were bisected by the Cheetahs' only try, from an irresistible 15m lineout drive which ended when captain and flanker Ryno van der Merwe bullocked over for 10-10.

It was to be their last score until the final minute while the Crusaders ran in 43 points over the remaining 60 minutes.

Leon MacDonald finished off a long-range move he began himself with a smart chip for winger Rico Gear. It was Gear's turn to score 2min before the break, giving his side a bonus point after the Crusaders opted to tap a penalty and spread the ball quickly.

Carter scored himself from a chip and regather, crashing head-first into the goalpost.

Centre Casey Laulala set up Carter's second and another for impressive winger Scott Hamilton.

The Cheetahs had the final say after the hooter, when fullback Bevin Fortuin dotted down in the corner.

Crusaders 53 (Daniel Carter 2, Mose Tuiali'i, Leon MacDonald, Kevin Senio, Rico Gear, Scott Hamilton tries; Carter 2 pen, 6 con)
Cheetahs 17 (Ryno van der Merwe, Bevin Fortuin tries; Willem de Waal pen, con, Meyer Bosman con).
HT: 32-10.

- NZPA