The Crusaders' Robbie Fruean is tackled
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Matches: Blues 11 - 34 Crusaders

The Crusaders have kept their slim semi-final hopes alive for another week following a 23-point thrashing of the Blues in Auckland.

The seven-time Super Rugby champions had little trouble in dispatching of John Kirwan's under-strength outfit; but they still require a number of results to fall their way, and will need to beat the Brumbies in Canberra next week, if they're to feature in the post-season.

Veteran fly-half Dan Carter was the architect of much of their best play, the All Blacks first-five sending a message to Test selectors with a fine performance at No.10 for the second straight week.

The Blues had earlier dominated territory and possession in the opening 10 minutes, and they were rewarded with two penalties from the boot of Ihaia West. The Crusaders, meanwhile, struggled for fluency in the opening stages; scrum-half Mitchell Drummond one of many to make a mistake by kicking out on the full.

But the visitors eventually secured some field position and, as they have done throughout the 20 years of Super Rugby, were quick to take the opportunity. Playing under advantage from referee Chris Pollock, Carter opted for the cross-kick for powerhouse winger Nemani Nadolo; the big Fijian repaid his playmaker with a wonderful tip-on take for his sixth try of the season. Carter added the extras to wrestle the 7-6 lead after 15 minutes.

The visitors extended their lead 10 minutes later after the Blues were penalised for a scrum infringement. It looked a tough call as the Blues had only just replaced prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi, the front-rower taken off for a concussion test after a nasty collision with Crusaders lock Dominic Bird.

Carter and Nadolo had provided the only real highlight of an otherwise mistake-riddled first half and they very nearly added to that with another cross-kick combination. Nadolo was unable to collect the kick on this occasion however and the Blues survived. But the Crusaders soon crossed for their second try of the night when Luke Romano crashed over from close range; the lock barging over shortly after winger David Havili had opted for a quick lineout following a failed clearance from West. Carter's conversion made it 17-6 after 34 minutes, the Crusaders now very much in control after a patchy opening.

The Blues had one final opportunity to reduce the gap before the break but they were held up over the line from a lineout drive, and then turned over the ball in the face of a powerful Crusaders scrum.

The visitors enjoyed the better share of possession and territory in the opening few minutes of the second half; Carter taking their lead out to 14 points with his second penalty of the night on 47 minutes.

The Blues hadn't really looked like scoring despite their early dominance of the opening minutes of the first half, but they managed to create a couple of decent opportunities after the break. In both instances the Crusaders were able to scramble in defence however; replacements Andy Ellis and Nafi Tuitavake getting back to save the day on two separate occasions. It was then the hosts who survived, referee Pollock coming back for an obstruction following a break from the ever-present Nadolo.

But there would be no escape for the Blues on the hour mark as the Crusaders wrapped up the contest with their third try of the night. Using their dominance at the scrum, the Crusaders went back to the set-piece from a penalty and Pollock had no option but to award a penalty-try as the Blues' scrum capitulated under the weight of the Crusaders' shove.

And things only got worse for the Blues from there as the Crusaders added the bonus-point try through back-rower Matt Todd. Blues winger Ben Lam did register a late consolation try on what was an otherwise miserable night for the local fans yet again this season.