All Black captain Richie McCaw said that he was "pretty pleased" with the way the Crusaders' performance came together in their 59-12 victory over the Blues.

The result atoned for the Crusaders shock loss last week to the Melbourne Rebels which put their playoffs hopes in doubt.

McCaw was playing out of position at No.8 but still managed to get his name on the scoreboard for one of the Crusaders nine tries.

It took the Crusaders just 36 minutes to claim a four-try bonus point but they went on to post their largest-ever win over their New Zealand rivals the Blues.

"We didn't do anything really different (to the Rebels match), it was just that we were clinical when we had the ball," McCaw said.

"We played at the right end of the field and the opportunities we got we made count."

"There's not a lot between having a good day and a bad day but when it comes together like tonight it's pretty pleasing."

Aside from McCaw's try Matt Todd, Adam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Andy Ellis, Zac Guildford, Tom Marshall and Israel Dagg all crossed the line while flyhalf Dan Carter took on the goalkicking duties for the first time in six weeks and landed six conversions.

The Crusaders had almost 80 percent of possession through the first 50 minutes of the match and used it to clinical effect, mounting attack after attack and scoring tries at almost consistent intervals.

The sequence was interrupted by replacement center Lachie Munro who scored the Blues two tries in the 61st and 81st minutes, helping them to avoid their largest-ever loss in Super rugby.

"The Crusaders outfit was outstanding tonight," Blues captain Luke Braid said.

"I think they were full of fire from their loss last weekend and we copped it tonight.

"Their tempo was really fast. "

"It was hard for us to set a (defensive) line and we kicked a lot of ball out on the full and they had a lot of territory in that first half."