The Crusaders had to come from behind in the second half as they surged to a 36-14 bonus point victory over the Brumbies at AMI stadium in Christchurch.
The Crusaders trailed 0-7 at half time but scored five second half tries to win the second half -33-7.
Brumbies captain Christian Lealiifano scored the only try of the first half and he converted the try as the visitors kept the back to back champions scoreless in a fas paced opening half.
The Crusaders discipline was poor in the half and they conceded eight penalties – one of which was in the 27th minute when Owen Franks was yellow carded for a dangrerous shoulder charge tackle on Henry Speight.
Franks’ card was a blot on the occasion for the prop as he was celebrating his 150th super rugby match in the game.
From the restart the Crusaders lifted their game and almost immediately took control of the match with a try by winger Sevu Reece three minutes after the restart.
In the second half the Crusaders discipline was much improved while the Brumbies allowed theirs to slip as two players – Toni Pulu and Sam Carter – were both sent to the bin.
The Brumbies were not at full strength as they were missing Wallaby flanker David Pocock as well as Wallaby forwards in Rory Arnold, Scott Sio and Folau Fainga’a.
After Reece’s try right-wing Will Jordan crossed twice. During the first try Pulu was sent to the bin for a head high tackle on Jordan – who almost scored a third but the try was disallowed for a forward pass in the build up.
Almost as soon as Pulu came back on the Brumbies lost Sam Carter for another head high tackle and this time on Crusaders back liner Ryan Crotty.
Jordan Taufua and Reece then crossed the line for the Crusaders which earned the host the bonus point.
The Brumbies scored a consolation try when Pulu created a try for Tevita Kuridrani but the Canberra side were so far behind on the scoreboard that they could only threaten to take away the Crusaders try bonus point.
The final score of the match came on fill time as Crusaders replacement Brett Cameron kicked the only penalty of the match.
The Crusaders victory is their ninth consecutive victory over the Brumbies in Christchurch who have been without a win in the city since 2000.
Next week in Round 9 the Crusaders host the Highlanders at home in Christchurch while the Brumbies host the Lions in Canberra.
Final Score Crusaders 36 (0) Brumbies 14 (7)
Scorers
Crusaders
Tries -S.Reece 2, W.Jordan 2,J.Taufua,
Pen -B.Cameron
Con -R.Moúnga 4
Drop –
Cards – O.Franks (27th min yellow)
Brumbies
Tries – C.Lealiifano, T,Kuridrani
Pen –
Con – C.Lealiifano 2
Drop –
Cards -T.Pulu (54th min yellow), S.Carter (66th min yellow)
Match Officials
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1:Egon Seconds
Assistant Ref 2:Paul Williams
TMO :Ben Skeen
Teams
Crusaders
15 David Havili, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd (c), 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Harry Allan, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Leicester Faingaanuku
Brumbies
15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Toni Pulu, 10 Christian Lealiifano (c), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Pete Samu, 5 Murray Douglas, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Vunipola Fifita, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Sam Carter, 20 Jahrome Brown, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23 Andy Muirhead