The Crusaders maintained their unbeaten streak in Super Rugby by smashing South Africa’s Stormers 57-24 in Christchurch.
The Crusaders are the only unbeaten team in Super Rugby and for the second week running they have scored 50 points against their opposition.
The victory by a record score between the sides keeps the Crusaders on top of the Super Rugby standings before they go on tour to face Cheetahs and Bulls in South Africa.
The Stormers were early season leaders and had gone unbeaten through 7 rounds but were humbled by the Christchurch side as they were outscored eight tries to three.
The Crusaders are now eight from eight while the Stormers record for the season is six wins from eight matches played after back to back losses.
Three of the Crusaders tries were scored by winger George Bridge in under 30 minutes while returning All Black captain Kieran Read added two tries.
Michael Alaalatoa, Pete Samu and Manasa Mataele also crossed for the Christchurch side.
The Stormers dominated the opening quarter of the match and led 0-3 from a Robert du Preez penalty.
However the first time that the Crusaders were able to move the ball on attack resulted in Bridge scoring the first of his three tries.
The Stormers defence was poor as they slipped off tackles and on several occasions left gaping holes for the Crusaders to run through and score.
Read scored his second try shortly before half time and was then replaced for the second half.
The visiting Stormers were the first to score in the second half when Cheslin Kolbe scored a 60-metre intercept try.
Former Bulls winger Bjorn Basson scored a try for the Stormers and the conversions from Robert du Preez closing the gap to 36-17.
However this only seemed to wake the Crusaders up and in the space of three minutes Alaalatoa scored and then Pete Samu produced an 80-metre intercept try.
Richie Mo’unga’s conversion brought up the 50 point mark for the hosts after which Frans Malherbe scored for the Stormers and Manasa Mataele went over for the Crusaders.
The Crusaders almost added a ninth try but a foul in the build up meant that the try was disallowed.
Next week in Round 10 the Crusaders travel to Bloemfontein to face the Cheetahs while the Stormers go to Dunedin to play the Highlanders.
Final Score Crusaders 57 (36) Stormers 24 (3)
Scorers
Crusaders
Tries -G.Bridge 3, K.Read 2, M.Alaalatoa, P.Samu, M.Mataele
Pen -R.Mo’unga
Con -R.Mo’unga 7
Drop –
Cards –
Stormers
Tries -C.Kolbe, B.Basson, F.Malherbe
Pen -R.du Preez
Con -R.du Preez 3
Drop –
Cards –
Match Officials
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 1:Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 2:James Doleman
TMO : Aaron Paterson
Teams
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. Kieran Read, 9. Mitchell Drummond , 10.Richie Mo’unga, 11. George Bridge , 12. Ryan Crotty (VC) , 13. Jack Goodhue, 14. Seta Tamanivalu, 15. David Havili
Replacements : 16. Ben Funnell, 17. Wyatt Crockett , 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Luke Romano , 20. Pete Samu, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Mitchell Hunt , 23. Manasa Mataele
Stormers
15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Jan de Klerk, 20 Cobus Wiese, 21 Jano Vermaak, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Dan Kriel.