The Crusaders produced an almost perfect performance in what is almost certain to be Dan Carter and Richie McCaw's final match at home for the side. But it was the Reds' "disgraceful" effort against them and the Waratahs' poor performance against the cellar-dwelling Western Force in Perth that produced the biggest talking points for round 13. Read on so you are fully prepared for the discussions in the office on Monday morning and through the week.

Crusaders 58-17 Reds

The Crusaders produced a blistering second-half display as they get set to make their annual late-season surge to the play-offs. Leading just 15-10 at the break, the seven-time champions steamrolled the hapless Reds in the second stanza in Christchurch with Sam Whitelock scoring a memorable try that will surely be among the best of the season. Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo again provided much of the Crusaders' thrust in attack, scoring a double and having a hand in two other tries in yet another outstanding display. The hosts scored eight tries in total - six after half-time - while the win was made extra special by the fact it may prove to be Richie McCaw and Dan Carter's final game in Christchurch in red and black. The Reds weren't up to Super Rugby standard as they missed an extraordinary 35 tackles, and they have since appointed former Wallabies boss and Queensland legend John Connolly as a consultant as the calls continue to come for axing of coach Richard Graham.

Rebels 42-22 Blues

Melbourne Rebels are well and truly in the hunt for a maiden play-offs berth after they made it three wins in four with an entertaining 20-point win over the Blues at AAMI Park. The scoreline didn't fully reflect the closeness of the encounter, but the Rebels led from start to finish as they repeatedly responded to Blues five-pointers with tries of their own. And while all the talk in Australian rugby seems to be about who of Michael Hooper and David Pocock should wear the Wallabies No.7 jersey, the Rebels showed the depth extends well beyond that duo and the likes of Liam Gill and Matt Hodgson as Jordy Reid and Colby Fainga'a had standout games in the back-row. Fainga'a ran for 61 metres, made four clean breaks and picked up a try for his efforts, while Reid made a match-high 18 tackles. It was an extra special evening for Rebels skipper Scott Higginbotham who became the all-time leading try-scoring forward in Super Rugby history - the back-rower moving past Brumbies great Owen Finegan with his 30th five-pointer.

Hurricanes 32-24 Sharks

The Hurricanes are 10 points clear atop the Super Rugby ladder after a surprisingly hard-fought victory over the Sharks in Wellington. The match had the potential to provide a banana skin for Super Rugby's front-runners as they took to the field without injured Beauden Barrett while resting TJ Perenara and Julian Savea; and so it proved as the Sharks produced one of their better efforts of the season, an improved attitude in both attack and defence ensuring the Hurricanes were made to work for all of their 32 points. The Sharks scored the game's first try and held the lead with 14 minutes to play when Odwa Ndungane finished off a fine team sequence. But the Hurricanes rallied and came away with the win thanks to a Jeremy Thrush try and two late James Marshall penalties. The bonus-point win was the Hurricanes' 10th of the season and may prove vital as they prepare to finish the season with five straight derbies - two of which are against the Chiefs.

Force 18-11 Waratahs

Western Force will wish they could play the Waratahs each week, as they seem to relish the challenge of taking on the men from New South Wales. Without a win since their shock opening win in Sydney, the Force again showed they've got the game plan to frustrate the defending champions as they flooded the breakdown and aimed up in defence to record a seven-point victory at nib Stadium. Skipper Matt Hodgson again provided the inspiration for the Force, the veteran back-rower's performance blighted only by a late yellow card that saw the Perth side finish the match one man down. But it mattered little as the Waratahs' poor handling returned, the defending champions conceding a miserable 20 turnovers in a match that left coach Michael Cheika questioning his side's attitude and desire. The Waratahs boss also may have a further headache in the shape of flanker Michael Hooper, the breakaway limping from the field late after an off-the-ball tackle that went unnoticed by referee Rohan Hoffman.

Lions 28-23 Highlanders

The Lions kept alive their play-off dreams by clawing their way to the lead in the final minutes, while the result ensured the Highlanders remain winless in Johannesburg. The Highlanders looked set to produce their first road victory against the Lions, but poor defence and an inability to create opportunities in the second half saw the game slip away. The Lions recovered from a 20-3 deficit at the break on the back of a strong rolling maul. The Highlanders simply produced too many errors, and 11 penalties compared to just three from the almost perfectly disciplined Lions.

Stormers 25-24 Brumbies

The Brumbies were desperate for a win to break away from the Waratahs atop the Australian conference, but they had to settle for just a losing bonus point after Christian Leali'ifano produced a shocker from a last-minute conversion right in front - his kick hitting the near upright. The Brumbies went out firing early, and they weren't afraid to push the hosts with some niggle, but 17 penalties proved costly. The Stormers claimed 19 unanswered points early in the second half, and they were beastly in defence with big hits that clearly rattled the visitors.