More suffering for the Chiefs couldn't dampen a prosperous weekend for New Zealand rugby teams as the Super 14 burst into pointscoring life.

After three weeks of largely defence-oriented play, 33 tries were scored in six games over the weekend, including six for the defending champion Crusaders in an ominous 49-28 drubbing of the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein this morning.

They climb to fifth, one place ahead of the victorious Highlanders, while the Blues and Hurricanes picked up contrasting wins to ascend to positions one and two respectively. They sit just ahead of the unbeaten Sharks who had a bye this weekend.

Unquestionably the best rugby of the round -- and arguably the competition so far -- was produced by the Crusaders at Vodacom Park as they shut the Cheetahs out in awesome style.

They led 42-14 with 20 minutes remaining, producing the sort of pressure-based rugby for which they are renowned. The chief beneficiaries were fullback Scott Hamilton and winger Caleb Ralph, who both scored two tries each.

But every member of an industrious pack stood out, allowing brilliant first five-eighth Stephen Brett and second five-eighth kingpin Rua Tipoki to control the game.

Brett scored 24 points, including the final try, but halfback Andy Ellis said it would be unfair to single out any individuals.

"I'm really pleased we did this because I didn't want people start saying `oh, the Crusaders don't have their All Blacks, so they're not the team of old," Ellis told NZPA.

"The Crusaders are about being a team, it's about believing and trusting each other.

"To get a big win like that and get back on track gives us a lot of belief and shows the character we have."

Emotions were at the opposite end of the scale for the Chiefs at nearby Pretoria, where Bulls winger Bryan Habana scored a try in the left corner after the final hooter had sounded to give them a 30-27 win.

It was the fourth successive loss for the Chiefs, all by six points or fewer.

They also look like being without centre Richard Kahui for several more weeks as he appeared to aggravate the shoulder injury that saw him miss their first three matches.

Coach Ian Foster said it wasn't all bad news for his team, who produced their best rugby of the year and looked like winning when first five-eighth Stephen Donald banged over a long-range penalty to give them a two-point lead in the 77th minute.

"The playoffs are further away but we're still picking up points," said Foster, noting they were still ahead of the Reds and Stormers.

"We're one game from finishing a pretty arduous tour of South Africa (against the Cheetahs) and we're pretty desperate to come out with a win.

"We're still in the race and I think the way the competition's going, we just need to get a couple of wins together and we're not out of it."

Centre Isaia Toeava was at his attacking best as the Blues outclassed the Reds 38-13 in Auckland on Saturday, having a part to play in most of the Blues' sharp attacks.

Winger Rudi Wulf crossed for two tries as the Blues side showed too much enterprise for a Reds team who continue to rely on forward muscle.

Reds coach Eddie Jones admitted the Blues were among the three best teams through the first month of the competition, alongside the Hurricanes and Sharks.

For the first time in 24 matches, the Highlanders snared a bonus point for scoring four tries as they overran the Stormers 35-24 in Dunedin on Saturday.

Centre Matt Saunders grabbed two tries to help them celebrate their first home game of the season after three tough games away.

"We haven't scored many tries this year but until today but no one has," Saunders said.

"It's been a defence year but those four tries will do a lot for the confidence of a young backline."

The only team to win in battling style was the Hurricanes, who needed a try in the final act of the game by No 8 Thomas Waldrom to pip the ACT Brumbies 11-10 at Wellington.

The only game not involving a New Zealand team saw the Lions -- led by boot of returning first five-eighth Andre Pretorius -- upset the Western Force 25-24 in Perth on Saturday night.

After two victorious games in South Africa, the loss was a major disappointment for the Force, who are still to win a Super 14 game at home.