The class of the Crusaders showed in the second half as they pulled away from the Blues for a 33-20 win in their fourth round Super 14 match at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, on Saturday night.
The home team led by a point at half-time, but an intercept try by second five-eighths Ryan Crotty after 56 minutes gave the Crusaders extra confidence and they dominated most of the half, centre Robbie Fruean sealing the win when he busted Stephen Brett's tackle and surged to the line after 66 minutes.
With Dan Carter kicking seven out of seven, the Crusaders had a healthy lead as time ticked down, but the Blues did cross for a consolation try.
Carter was named the man of the match and was an influential figure, but the Crusaders loose forward trio, spearheaded by Richie McCaw in his first start for the season, came into their own as the tempo of the game increased in the second half.
A spirited 20m drive by the Blues pack from the Crusaders kick-off signaled the team's purpose and they were rewarded with the first points after six minutes with former Crusader Stephen Brett on target with an easy penalty.
From the restart, the Crusaders turned over the ball after winning a lineout near their line and Brett dropped a goal from close range to have the Blues ahead, 6-0.
More points came from the kick-off, this time to the Crusaders who received a penalty and Dan Carter made no mistake from 28m on the angle.
Carter had his second chance after 15 minutes to level the score and did so with a penalty from 37m and in front. From the restart, the Blues received a penalty on the 22m and Brett was untroubled from a slight angle to make it 9-6.
The Crusaders scored the first try after 19 minutes through a Carter break in midfield. Fullback Jared Payne ranged on his outside and his in-pass was taken by flanker George Whitelock, who scored handy to the posts for Carter to convert comfortably.
But again the Crusaders conceded a penalty from the kick-off and Brett kicked another simple goal to close it to 13-12.
Neither team was able to retain possession long enough to put their patterns into place, although a clever chip over the top by Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis found wing Zac Guildford, who was just tipped over 7m from the line.
Carter kicked his third penalty goal in the 35th minute to put the Crusaders ahead, 16-12, but Brett brought it back to one point with his fourth straight successful kick, from 42m, two minutes later, the teams going to half-time with the Crusaders leading 16-15.
Carter's decisive field kicking had the Crusaders on attack early in the second spell, but while both teams showed willingness to attack even from their own 22m, the passing was too often astray and the defence was equal to the occasion.
Brett missed with a second dropped goal attempt after 54 minutes and two minutes later the Crusaders were across for their second try after Blues wing Rudi Wulf threw a big in-field pass which Crusaders second five-eighth Ryan Crotty gratefully accepted, He scored under the crossbar for Carter to convert and have the Crusaders ahead, 23-15.
The Crusaders stormed back from the restart, winning a penalty near the Blues line and Carter made it six