A day after the Chiefs made a statement by beating the Hurricanes, the Crusaders have made one of their own.

Australian sides have only twice managed to beat a New Zealand rival in 11 attempts this Super Rugby season.

The Crusaders have demolished the Jaguares in a bonus point victory in Christchurch which takes their run to six victories in a row.

The last time the Crusaders lost to an overseas-based team in Christchurch was in February last year.

All Black Israel Dagg, called into the Crusaders squad in Perth following his return from a shoulder injury, is unlikely to be named for Friday night's match.

They may have lost their starpower, but the Crusaders are playing as consistently as they ever have at this stage of the season

COMMENT: The Super Rugby season stretches all the way to August but there can be defining moments at even this early stage of the campaign.

The Crusaders had tonight's game against the Kings in the bag after 25 minutes.

Nemani Nadolo has delivered the hit of the Super Rugby season so far, and it might be hard to beat.

A disjointed, mistake-ridden performance from the Blues has put attention on coach Tana Umaga's personnel decisions.

Crusaders get the job done against the Blues 28-13.

The Chiefs win in Christchurch after a tough back and forth contest.

In a thumping contest that had a bit of everything, the Chiefs came away with a vital win.

Chris Rattue lists the key questions surrounding the five New Zealand Super Rugby franchises ahead of the upcoming season.

COMMENT: Unless All Blacks captain-in-waiting has concussion issues, there is no excuse for him missing the opening to the 2016 Super Rugby season, writes Chris Rattue.

The Chiefs and Crusaders will play in Fiji in July.

There may be no Richie McCaw or Dan Carter but the Crusaders will fancy their chances of making it back to the Super Rugby playoffs in 2016.

Only six Super Rugby teams can take part in the playoffs and for some of the teams who missed out, the end of the season will have come as a relief.

A classy ending from the Crusaders - shame about the beginning and the middle of their campaign.

The Crusaders are out of the playoffs but it's an absence which just might give the All Blacks and Richie McCaw an extra boost ahead of their World Cup defence.