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The Crusaders took pragmatism to the extremes to score an emphatic 38-3 Super 14 rugby win over the Highlanders in Dunedin despite being outplayed in most facets.
The reigning champions were operating on only six cylinders, but they were still too good as they scored five tries to
none against a Highlanders team who kissed goodbye to any chance of making the semifinals.
The Highlanders held the upperhand throughout on a cool night at Carisbrook but were frustrated by the Crusaders' ability to slow or kill the ball at the breakdown by using means both fair and foul.
The final scoreline bore little resemblance to what unfolded for the previous 80 minutes as the Crusaders soaked up plenty of punishment while defending their line with customary ruthlessness.
The Highlanders dominated the match in all areas apart from the scoreboard to change ends trailing 3-10.
Their scrum was all over the Crusaders, leaving the visitors to scramble at the set piece, while their lineout worked most efficiently.
Territory, also, weighed heavily in the Highlanders' favour but they could not convert field position to points as they had to make do with a solitary penalty from Nick Evans to show for their considerable efforts.
The Crusaders also did not treasure the ball enough in the opposition half, coughing up possession too frequently to undermine their endeavours to build pressure.
The exception in the first spell came in the seventh minute during their first excursion into the Highlanders 22 when a measured buildup saw the Crusaders enjoy a numerical advantage on a large blindside.
They took toll, with Carter darting through as the defence drifted off him for a fine try, which he converted in a swirling wind.
Carter took the Crusaders out to 10-0 with a penalty in the 24th minute, which Evans responded to in kind eight minutes later.
The Crusaders struck first after the restart, veteran winger Caleb Ralph scoring in the corner after being fed on the inside by hooker Corey Flynn after a chip kick bounced awkwardly for the Highlanders.
The result was put beyond doubt in the 61st minute when the Crusaders stretched their lead to 24-3 when Carter added the conversion to a try by centre Casey Laulala after replacement Rua Tipoki effected a great offload just before he went to ground short of the line.
Tipoki laid on another try for Laulala nine minutes later when he timed his run nicely, straightened the attack and drew the defence to leave Laulala to bag the Crusaders' bonus point fourth touchdown.
A frenetic final minute ended with a try after the hooter to Tipoki as the Crusaders rubbed salt in the Highlanders' wound to register their biggest victory over New Zealand's southernmost franchise.
The win moved the Crusaders atop the standings on 37 points, one ahead of the Blues, who were to play the Sharks in Auckland later tonight.
Crusaders 38 (Casey Laulala 2, Daniel Carter, Caleb Ralph, Rua Tipoki tries; Carter pen, 4 con, Stephen Brett con) Highlanders 3 (Nick Evans pen). Halftime: 10-3.
- NZPA
