Wynne Gray: Crusaders' control sure to have competition worried

Three Crusaders Nepo Laulala, Kieron Fonotia and Nemani Nadolo, above, were sinbinned during their match against the Sharks. Photo / Getty Images

Sixth and climbing. The surge of the Crusaders on the last leg of their South Africa tour is a warning shot for the rest of the tournament.

Attacking threats which had smouldered through the first third of this Super rugby campaign burst into an intense glare in Durban as they put 50 points past the vulnerable Sharks.

It was all done without the starting influence of All Blacks Daniel Carter, Richie McCaw, Joe Moody, Owen Franks and Tom Taylor who came from the pine late in the match.

There was mid-match chaos when three Crusaders - Nepo Laulala, Kieron Fonotia and Nemani Nadolo - were sinbinned and Sharks flanker Jean Deysel was sent off for a knee to Matt Todd's head.

By then though the Crusaders were well in control and even when they were under-manned, added a deft chip kick and regather try to Colin Slade.

They broke the Sharks' resistance early with the width of their work and tremendous support play which puzzled the hosts who were expecting a torrid examination around the fringes.

Instead the Crusaders showed the accurate linking play which has marked the Hurricanes' work this year and the ability to isolate defenders which the Chiefs bring to their game-plan.

Andy Ellis and Israel Dagg were over for tries before some of the crowd had moved from their braiis to their seats as the Sharks looked more like a barbecue group than one leading the South African conference.

The Crusaders shifted the ball either side of the rucks to mount the stress on the Sharks midfield who were without the banned Francois Steyn and then into the wider channels where they found repeat space for Nadolo, Dagg and David Havili.

Up front possession came through a solid scrum led by loosehead Wyatt Crockett without any disagreements with referee Stuart Berry, and a lineout which was reasonably effective.

Jordan Taufua was outrageously busy, carrying strongly, cleaning and fetching at the breakdown and supporting the backline forays like an attentive waiter hovering for a tip. His work is ramping up the internal selection pressure at the Crusaders as they reach the halfway stage of the competition.