The Crusaders remained unbeaten and took back the top spot in the Super Rugby standings after beating the Waratahs 22-41 with a bonus point at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
The Crusaders have now played six matches this season and won six while the Waratahs have played six and won two.
With the victory the Crusaders have become the first Super Rugby team to win 10 matches in succession against Australian opposition. As part of their run the Crusaders have won their last five matches on Australian soil.
The Waratahs were their own worst enemy though as they missed 34 tackles in the contest compared to the 18 missed by the Crusaders.
With nine tries scored between the two sides, the fans had plenty to look it in terms of running rugby.
The first points of the match came from a Crusaders try in the tenth minute after a gruelling opening to the half.
Following a second try to the visitors, Tahs Captain Michael Hooper crossed the line from a pick and drive off the back of some solid set-piece in the lineout.
After a Crusader rebuttal in the form of a five-pointer, kicker Reece Robinson slotted a penalty conversion which saw the half time score 19-10 in favour of our Kiwi counterparts.
The second forty saw a quick try to the Crusaders, but was quickly answered with a pacy try by halfback Jake Gordon, who helped narrow the gap to 17-26.
However it was the barnstorming run from Fijian flyer Taqele Naiyaravoro, who sat down his opposite winger to barge his way in for a brilliant five-pointer in a brilliant individual display.
With the score at 22-26 in the 55th minute, the Crusaders worked overtime to slow down the Waratahs resurgence, keeping the said score untouched bar a penalty conversion right up until the final ten minutes.
In the dying minutes of the game, the Christchurch outfit managed to put on two quick tries off the back of some counter attack.
Next week the Waratahs face a short turnaround as they play Super Rugby champions the Hurricanes on Friday while the Crusaders have a bye before taking on the Sunwolves at home in Round 8.
Final Score Waratahs 22 (10) Crusaders 41 (19)
Scorers
Waratahs
Tries – M.Hooper, J.Gordon, T.Naiyaravoro
Pen –
Con -R.Robinson 2
Drop –
Cards –
Crusaders
Tries – G.Bridge, D.Havili. T. Bateman 2, B.Hall, B. Funnell
Pen – M.Hunt
Con – M.Hunt 3
Drop –
Cards –
Match Officials
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Ref 1:Will Houston
Assistant Ref 2:Ed Martin
TMO : George Ayoub
Teams
Waratahs
1.Tom Robertson,2.Tolu Latu,3.Sekope Kepu,4.Dean Mumm,5.Will Skelton,6.Ned Hanigan,7.Michael Hooper ©,8.Jed Holloway,9.Jake Gordon,10.Mack Mason,11.Andrew Kellaway,12.David Horwitz,13.Israel Folau,14.Reece Robinson,15Cam Clark
Replacements:16. Damien Fitzpatrick, 17. Paddy Ryan , 18. David Lolohea , 19. David McDuling, 20. Michael Wells ,21. Nick Phipps, 22. Irae Simone , 23. Taqele Naiyaravoro
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody , 2. Codie Taylor , 3. Owen Franks , 4. Scott Barrett , 5. Sam Whitelock (C) , 6. Jordan Taufua , 7. Matt Todd (VC) , 8. Whetu Douglas , 9. Mitchell Drummond , 10. Mitchell Hunt , 11. George Bridge , 12. Ryan Crotty (VC) , 13. Tim Bateman , 14. Digby Ioane , 15. David Havili
Replacements : 16. Ben Funnell , 17. Wyatt Crockett , 18. Michael Alaalatoa , 19. Luke Romano , 20. Pete Samu , 21. Bryn Hall , 22. Marty McKenzie , 23. Manasa Mataele
