Crusaders thrash Blues

Robbie Fruean of the Crusaders makes a break during the round 13 Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and the Blues at AMI Stadium. Photo / Getty Images.

Crusaders 59
Blues 12

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder was looking for a response from his players in tonight's Super Rugby match against the Blues after last week's shock loss to the Rebels in Melbourne.

And boy did he get it, as the Crusaders rediscovered their best form and produced a night of near flawless rugby at AMI Stadium to beat the hapless Blues 59-12 in one of the most one-sided contests of the season.

While The Crusaders' play was often brilliant, they were made to look even better by an inept showing by the Blues, who hit a new low in what was, in the final analysis, an old-fashioned stuffing.

They recorded their biggest losing margin, reverting to woeful form after last week's drought-breaking win.

It was almost exhibition stuff as The Crusaders earned a bonus point try before half time when Luke Romano muscled his way over.

In the face of unrelenting pressure The Blues were regularly pinned back in their own half, and the game was effectively over before halftime with the Crusaders running in five unanswered tries.

There was much to admire in The Crusaders showing.

After 42 days and no shortage of national angst, Dan Carter was reunited with his No10 jersey and he was the skilful puppet master that we have come to expect, at the heart of all things good for the home side.

Carter scored 12 points, kicking goals for the first time since the 32-30 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria on April 8.

And Richie McCaw, playing at No 8 in the absence of Kieran Read, scored his 25th Super Rugby try after a lineout steal to cap an industrious match.

The seven-time Super Rugby champions made seven positional changes implemented by a clearly annoyed Blackadder midweek and it looks like he has found a perfect balance.

It was the 60th minute before the Blues got on the board, with the Crusaders already 45 points to the good by then.

For the Blues it was another labored performance, with no energy or answers coming from anywhere on the field and nothing clicking.

Injuries have hit the Blues hard with their squad tonight featuring 10 players who were not in the 22 for the first game against the Crusaders in Ferburary.

It was the eighth win of the season for the Crusaders who remain in fifth place behind the Chiefs, Bulls, Brumbies and Stormers.

Matt Todd opened the scoring for the Crusaders in the fifth minute, driving over after a lineout before Carter stroked the conversion through effortlessly.

Adam Whitelock increased their lead five minutes later, touching down out wide after another sustained period of Crusaders pressure.

The Blues were continually struggling to catch their breath from wave after wave of relentless pressure and McCaw added to the scoreboard with a great display of brute strength, driving over the line from close range before Carter added the extras.

Romano picked up the Crusaders bonus point try before halftime before Corey Flynn touched down to make it five.

In the second half the Crusaders picked up right where they left off with Andy Ellis and Flynn adding another two tries in quick succession.

Lachie Munro finally put the Blues on the board in the 60th minute finishing off a well worked move - one of their two bright spots of the night.

Zac Guilford brought up 50 points with the Crusaders eighth try of the night before Todd Marshall ran in his second try of the season and Tyler Bleyendaal added the extras.

Munro scored his second consolation try of the night, before Anscombe closed the scoring with a conversion for the Blues to finish the night's scoring.

Crusaders 59 (Matt Todd, Adam Whitelock, Richie McCaw, Luke Romano, Corey Flynn 2, Andy Ellis, Zac Guildford, Tom Marshall tries; Dan Carter 6 cons; Tyler Bleyendaal con), Blues 12 (Lachie Munro 2 tries; Gareth Anscombe con) . Ht: 31-0.