Match Reports

The Crusaders earned a valuable five-point bonus win victory when beating the Brumbies 52-10 at Trafalgar Park, Nelson, tonight.

Wing Sean Maitland scored four tries, equaling a Super Rugby record, as the Crusaders recovered from a slow start to completely demolish the Brumbies.

Dan Carter was on song with the boot again, kicking eight from nine, as the Crusaders kept the Brumbies scoreless in the second half after leading 19-10 at the break.

Israel Dagg and Sonny Bill Williams also dotted down in the second half, as the Crusaders ran amok in the second half in front of a sell-out crowd of 10,500.

The Brumbies got off to a good start and scored the first try through Matt Giteau.

But the Crusaders struck back through Carter who kicked two penalties.

Giteau was sinbinned for a professional foul and Carter kicked another penalty before Josh Valentine made a mess of  a loose ball which Andy Ellis pounced on.

Ellis broke through, passed to Williams and Maitland was over for his first try.

Valentine had a chance to put a penalty over from a handy position but fluffed it (while regular kicker Giteau watched from the sinbin).

After the break the Crusaders made it game over within the space of nine minutes.

First, Maitland was over following a superb pass from Carter which put Robbie Fruean into space.

Then Williams scored his try straight afterwards. It was a carbon copy of his try a week ago on this ground and he scored it on the same spot. He again propped off his left leg and had too much power for the defence.

Maitland was over for his hat-trick and after 50 minutes it was 40-10 to the Crusaders.

He scored his fourth just before the hour mark when strolling over following a fine team build up. Kieran Read burst through a gap and combined with Adam Whitelock. Play switched to the right and Maitland was on the end of the line.

Then Fruean pulled off a fine defensive feat when chasing down the flying Adam Ashley-Cooper. It showcased Fruean's speed and determination to catch Asley-Cooper when really the score wouldn't have affected the end result.

Dagg brought up the 50 for the Crusaders, finishing off a period of sustained Crusaders pressure to run a nice line close to a ruck and go over.

Crusaders - Tries: Sean Maitland 4, Sonny Bill Williams, Israel Dagg. Cons: Dan Carter 4, Matt Berquist. Pens: Carter 4

Brumbies - Try: Matt Giteau. Con: Giteau. Pen: Giteau.

HT: Crusaders 19-10

Kickers:
Dan Carter 8 from 9
Matt Berquist 1 from 1
Matt Giteau 2 from 2
Josh Valentine 0 from 1

Crusaders:
1. Wyatt Crockett (Owen Franks 60)
2. Corey Flynn (Quentin MacDonald 54min)
3. Ben Franks
4. Chris Jack
5. Sam Whitelock
6. George Whitelock (Brad Thorn 62)
7. Matt Todd
8. Kieran Read (c) (Jonathan Poff 60)
9. Andy Ellis
10. Dan Carter (Matt Berquist 62)
11. Adam Whitelock
12. Sonny Bill Williams (Tom Marshall 60)
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Sean Maitland (Willi Heinz 71)
15. Israel Dagg