The Crusaders have run in seven tries to defeat the Queensland Reds in Christchurch.
All Blacks Sevu Reece and Will Jordan each scored doubles as the Crusaders eased clear for a 43-19 win at Orangetheory Stadium on Sunday afternoon to launch into the top-six after Round 4 of Super Rugby Pacific.
LATEST HEADLINES:
The home side took advantage of a wasteful performance from the Reds, who perhaps had Cyclone Alfred, which struck south-east Queensland on Friday, on their mind, taking an early lead and never letting it slip.
Reece and Jordan both crossed for two tries as the Crusaders raced to a 29-14 halftime lead, then extended the gap soon after the break.
Les Kiss' men ended a 12-year losing streak in the Garden City last year and returned confident of improving to 3-0 in 2025.
But they were made to pay for overplaying their hand, often while attempting to run out of their own territory, as the hosts punished them with six tries inside 42 minutes.
The Reds will attempt to return to Brisbane on Monday. Weather permitting, their next assignment will be the unbeaten NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Cullen Grace opened the scoring with a clever raid straight through the centre of the ruck as the home side improved to 2-1 after a Round 3 bye.
There were flashes of brilliance when forwards Josh Canham and Alex Hodgman found open space and set up tries that kept the Reds in the hunt.
But they were offset by errors and cheap turnovers, as Crusaders fullback Will Jordan scored twice in four minutes before halftime to open a 29-7 lead.
Harry Wilson's try before the break was cause for optimism but it was erased immediately after the restart.
Reds No 10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips's clearance kick was smothered and Christian Lio-Willie showed good hands to grab a loose ball and spin over for a 36-14 lead that all-but shut out the Reds.
Reds wing Lachie Anderson scored down the right edge after setting up the play with a deft chip and chase down the left flank.
The visitors had a chance to edge closer but there was no way through the Crusaders' defence, with Levi Aumua icing the performance with an 80th-minute try converted by former Reds playmaker James O'Connor.
"The way the game's being refereed and played ... high tempo, there's a lot of back and forth, turnovers, big efforts required," Jordan said.
"I love playing open, free-flowing footy. The standard so far, the competition among the team's been great, it's great to be a part of it."
Crusaders 43 (Cullen Grace, Sevu Reece 2, Will Jordan 2, Christian Lio-Willie, Levi Aumua tries; Taha Kemara 3 con, James O'Connor con) Queensland Reds 19 (Filipo Daugunu, Harry Wilson, Lachie Anderson tries; Harry McLaughlin-Phillips 2 con). HT: 29-14