First take: Something wrong with Crusaders

Jordan Taufua is tackled by Liam Messam during the Chiefs' win over the Crusaders. Photo / Getty

Crusaders 9
Chiefs 26

There's pedigree all through the Crusaders and plenty of rust too.

Something's just not right. They tinker with their combinations, often swapping test men for test men but progress is marginal, they are as smooth as lumpy junket.

Maybe it's age or eyes on targets later in the year but they were given a touchup by the Chiefs. They coughed up lineout ball, messed up their breakdown ball, missed tackles and Daniel Carter sprayed his kicks at goal.

The Chiefs set the tone early with one of the best non-tries of the season.

They worked a move round the space at the back of the lineout to send Tim Nanai-Williams across the line. The Crusaders were flummoxed however Ben Tameifuna had blocked an attempted tackle from Wyatt Crockett.

No try, penalty. Saved by a clumsy bump from the blonde bomber.

Shame, it was such a terrific copy of their practice ground drills. Instead the reward for that efficiency was zilch.

They were good enough to conjure up legitimate tries later while the Crusaders barely looked like they could spell try. Their backline crabbed across field, their pack huffed and puffed and puffed even more, while the Chiefs danced and jostled.

They had variety in their game, they adapted their approach and responded to what unfolded at AMI Stadium. The Crusaders could only watch enviously.