Rugby: Richie Mo'unga pulls the strings as Crusaders roll over Rebels

Jack Goodhue of the Crusaders celebrates a try with David Havili. Photo / Getty

The Crusaders have retained their place at the top of the Super Rugby table with a regulation 55-10 victory over the Rebels in Melbourne which won't surprise anyone on this side of the Tasman and probably not too many in Australia either.

The losing streak by Australian teams against their Kiwi counterparts now stands at 37 matches and while the Rebels caused the Crusaders some discomfort in the first half at AAMI Stadium – especially when Matt Todd and then David Havili were sent to the sinbin in the first half – the visitors were far too good in every facet.

Their class told in the second half as they ran in six more converted tries for a bonus point victory that will please coach Scott Robertson immensely.

First-five Richie Mo'unga played 50 minutes on his welcome return from a broken jaw and looked extremely good, as did centre Jack Goodhue, back from a hamstring strain and a powerful, try-scoring, force in the midfield alongside the equally excellent Ryan Crotty.

The Crusaders, with No8 Jordan Taufua fired up with and without the ball, owned the collisions, put the Rebels under pressure at scrum-time and overall were far smarter than a side placed second in the Australian conference and still with playoff pretensions.

The home side had no answer in particular to the power and pace of right wing Seta Tamanivalu, who scored the opening try and set up two in the second half – the latter to Pete Samu with a run from 50m during which he bumped off three would-be defenders.

Up front, starting hooker Andrew Makalio was an irresistible force scoring two tries and proving to be a valuable back-up to All Black Codie Taylor in the wake of Ben Funnell's injury last weekend. Tighthead prop Owen Franks was a monster in the front row for Robertson's men.

It was the Crusaders' sixth straight win but face far tougher challenges ahead. Next weekend they host the Waratahs in Christchurch but after that face only New Zealand teams; the Blues twice, Chiefs, Hurricanes and Highlanders in a run which will define their regular season.

Crusaders 55

(Seta Tamanivalu, Andrew Makalio 2, Jack Goodhue, Pete Samu, Bryn Hall, Wyatt Crockett, Manasa Mataele tries; Richie Mo'unga pen, 2 cons, Mitch Hunt 4 cons)

Rebels 10

(Reece Hodge try; Jack Debreczeni pen, con)

HT: 13-10