Match Reports

A bonus-point 45-6 victory over the Cheetahs at AMI Stadium put the Crusaders on top of the Rebel Sport Super 14 table tonight and they will remain there heading into round 11 thanks to the Reds victory over the Bulls in Brisbane in the late match.

The Crusaders scored seven tries against the Cheetahs, with No8 Thomas Waldrom bagging two. The four-try bonus point was secured before halftime as the home team found plenty of gaps in the Cheetahs defence helped by another massive scrummaging effort from the Crusaders.

First-five Daniel Bowden, (pictured) in his first game for the Crusaders, turned in an assured performance. He looked sharp from the start with his quick feet and intelligent passing and set the tone for the evening.

Waldrom had another storming game in his first start in several weeks and captain Richie McCaw had one of his most influential games of the season. His tackle count was remarkable and seemed to be everywhere both on defence and attack.

Halfback Kahn Fotuali'i also played well - his strong running earning him a try and his defence has gone to a new level in 2010.

This comfortable victory sets the Crusaders up well for their three-game road trip to Perth, Cape Town and Pretoria where they will play the Force, Stormers and Bulls.

It was also a fitting tribute from the players to Canterbury and assistant Crusaders trainer Luke Thornley, who passed away last Sunday and whose funeral was held this morning.

Fotuali'i was on the scoreboard after 10 minutes. The ball popped out of a Cheetahs scrum on halfway and the halfback ran down the blindside and held off halfback Sarel Pretorious and centre Robert Ebersohn to score a remarkable 55m effort.

McCaw, Bowden and Waldrom all featured with the ball before the Cheetahs won a penalty which Riaan Viljoen kicked to narrow the gap to 5-3.

The Crusaders charged down a Cheetahs defensive clearance, with Ti'i Paulo on the charge but the chance was lost when prop Ben Franks ran into one of his own players at the attacking ruck on the line.

There was no stopping Ryan Crotty minutes later, however. Good build-up work by Paulo, Wyatt Crockett and Waldrom had the Cheetahs stretched and Crotty went over in a tackle for a converted try.

Waldrom scored his first try after half an hour when running on to a clever Fotuali'i pass close to the line.

At 19-3 to the Crusaders, the Cheetahs clawed some points for themselves when replacement Meyer Bosman kicked a penalty to make it 19-6.

The Crusaders were determined to finish the Cheetahs off before halftime though and they did it when Waldrom scored his second try from a pushover scrum. It was a fitting reward to the forwards for their complete dominance in this area.

After the break it took some time for the Crusaders to find their rhythm again. Sean Maitland finished off a move started by a McCaw steal after about 15 minutes and Ben Franks scored his first ever Super rugby try when a Crusaders maul drove the Cheetahs pack back almost 10m.

Replacement wing Zac Guildford rounded out the scoring with a try following good hands from Bowden and lock Sam Whitelock.

The Cheetahs dominated territory for the final six minutes but couldn't breach the Crusaders defence which pleased the players afterwards and head coach Todd Blackadder.

Captain McCaw said: ''That shows the attitude of the guys. We were determined not to let them through and we did it well. This win sets us up well for the trip away. We're looking forward to it and the tough matches ahead. You really have to step up a gear at this stage of the season to feature at the finish and I think we're doing that.''

Crusaders - Tries: Thomas Waldrom (2), Kahn Fotuali'i, Ryan Crotty, Sean Maitland, Ben Franks, Zac Guildford. Cons: Colin Slade (5).
Cheetahs - Pens: Riaan Viljoen, Meyer Bosman.

HT: 26-6

Kickers
Crusaders: Slade 5 from 8
Cheetahs: Viljoen 1 from 1. Bosman 1 from 1.

Crusaders:
1. Wyatt Crockett (Owen Franks 48th min)
2. Ti'i Paulo (Dan Perrin 48th)
3. Ben Franks
4. Chris Jack (Brad Thorn 73rd)
5. Sam Whitelock
6. George Whitelock
7. Richie McCaw (c) (Jonathan Poff 69th)
8. Thomas Waldrom
9. Kahn Fotuali'i (Willi Heinz 70th)
10. Dan Bowden
11. Jared Payne (Zac Guildford HT)
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Tim Bateman
14. Sean Maitland (Tu Umaga-Marshall 58th)
15. Colin Slade