The Crusaders earned a bonus point 32-15 victory over the Jaguares in Christchurch to extend their winning streak to six straight matches.
The Crusaders have not won six matches in sucession since 2011 when they reached the final. The loss for the Jaguares is their fifth in succession.
The Crusaders outscored the Jaguares by five tries to two in the match which earned them the try bonus point.
Two of the Crusaders tries were scored by fullback Israel Dagg who was playing in his first match this year.
Forty-nine-Test fullback Dagg provided the impetus as the Crusaders raced to a 22-3 half-time lead, scoring one try and setting up another.
He followed up with a spectacular solo effort after the break to end hopes of a Jaguares revival, brushing off two defenders as he raced to the line.
The 27-year-old, discarded for last year’s World Cup then sidelined with a shoulder injury, is a certain contender for an international recall if he can maintain such blistering form.
It was the sixth defeat in a row even though they were nearly at full strength after squad rotations, leaving them with a single win so far in their debut season.
“We had a bad game, especially in the first half, but it’s part of our learning curve,” assistant coach Felipe Contepomi said.
“The Crusaders are one of the best teams in the competition and we made a lot of unforced errors. It’s disappointing.”
The Crusaders almost had a try in the first two minutes after stealing the ball in a lineout, with the Jaguares stopping Nemani Nadolo just short of the line.
Andy Ellis made no mistake three minutes later, touching down after Dagg slipped him a defence-splitting pass.
The Crusaders then ran away with the match, notching two tries when Jaguares fullback Joaquin Tuculet was sinbinned for slowing down play.
Dagg took advantage of the extra space for his first five-pointer, then Richie Mo’unga stripped the ball from Jeronimo de la Fuente for another to make it 19-3.
A Mo’unga penalty then made it 22-3 at half-time.
Facundo Isa clawed one back for the Argentines after the restart, darting from the back of a maul then powering past Ellis.
The Crusaders restored their dominance with tries to Kieran Read and Dagg, although Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias crossed for a late consolation try to the visitors.
Next week the Crusaders face the Brumbies in Canberra while the Jaguares travel to Tokyo to face the Sunwolves.
Final score Crusaders 32 (22) Jaguares 15 (3)
Scorers
Crusaders
Tries – A.Ellis, I.Dagg 2. R.Mo’unga, K.Read
Pen – R.Mo’unga
Con – R.Mo’unga 2
Drop –
Cards –
Jaguares
Tries – F. Isa, S.G.Iglesias
Pen – J.M.Hernández
Con – J.M.Hernández
Drop –
Cards – J. Tuculet (yellow 22nd min)
Match Officials
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant Ref 1:Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 2:Jamie Nutbrown
TMO : Aaron Paterson
Teams
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody ,2. Codie Taylor ,3. Owen Franks ,4. Luke Romano,5. Scott Barrett,6. Jordan Taufua,7. Matt Todd,8. Kieran Read (C),9. Andy Ellis,10. Richie Mo’unga,11. Nemani Nadolo,12. Ryan Crotty,13. Kieron Fonotia,14. Johnny McNicholl,15. Israel Dagg,
Replacements : 16. Ged Robinson,17. Wyatt Crockett,18. Mike Alaalatoa,19. Jimmy Tupou,20. Tim Boys,21. Mitchell Drummond,22. Sean Wainui,23. Ben Volavola,
Jaguares
1- Santiago García Botta , 2- Agustín Creevy (C) , 3- Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro , 4- Guido Petti , 5- Matías Alemanno , 6- Juan Manuel Leguizamón , 7- Rodrigo Báez , 8- Facundo Isa , 9- Gonzalo Bertranou , 10- Juan Martín Hernández , 11- Emiliano Boffelli , 12- Santiago González Iglesias , 13- Jerónimo de la Fuente , 14- Matías Orlando , 15- Joaquín Tuculet
Replacements : 16- Facundo Bosch , 17- Felipe Arregui , 18- Enrique Pieretto , 19- Juan Cruz Guillemaín , 20- Pablo Matera , 21- Felipe Ezcurra , 22- Joaquín Paz , 23- Lucas González Amorosino