Wellington - The Waikato Chiefs dominated the Canterbury Crusaders 26-9 in Christchurch on Friday to maintain pressure on Super 15 pacesetters the Wellington Hurricanes.
The Chiefs ran in three unanswered tries to go to the top of the ladder on 32 points, one ahead of the Hurricanes who play the NSW Waratahs on Saturday.
The result also dealt a massive blow to the Crusaders' play-off prospects, with the seven-time champions now losing five from nine this season.
While the Chiefs, champions in 2012 and 2013, looked refreshed coming off a bye, the Crusaders were listless, despite fielding a starting line-up boasting 10 Test players.
They could find no penetration attacking with ball in hand and frequently mis-kicked to slump to a second defeat to the Chiefs this season, after a 40-16 mauling in February.
They opened strongly when Tim Nanai-Williams crossed in the fourth minute, only for his effort to be disallowed due to obstruction in the lead up.
A yellow card for flanker Sam Cane then left the Chiefs vulnerable but the Crusaders failed to capitalise as the sides exchanged penalities.
Chiefs number eight Michael Leitch scored the first try when he seized the ball and barged over the line following a Richie McCaw knock on.
But the visitors were also dealt a blow when fly-half Aaron Cruden limped off with a knee injury, a situation that will be closely monitored by All Blacks coaching staff.
Andrew Horrell came on as a replacement to kick the conversion and extend the lead to 13-3.
The Crusaders narrowed the gap with another penalty then gifted the Chiefs a second try on the stroke of half-time when halfback Andy Ellis lost the ball forward.
Leitch pounced on it and passed to winger James Lowe, who took off for a 70-metre breakaway try to make it 18-6 at the break.
The Crusaders could manage only a solitary penalty in the second half, with all the pressure coming from the Chiefs.
Liam Squire put the result beyond doubt with 10 minutes to go after Nanai-Williams sliced through the fumbling Crusaders defence to set him up.
AFP
