Match Reports

Zac Guildford scored two tries as the Crusaders scored a bonus point 35-6 victory over the Sharks at AMI Stadium tonight.

It was a big step up in intensity and physicality for the Crusaders, who were disappointing when losing to the Reds in Brisbane last week.

But a combination of fierce tackling and powerful scrumming against the bigger Sharks pack told in the end, with the Crusaders picking up two tries in the final 10 minutes.

''That was a massive improvement over last week,'' Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder said. ''We can still improve - our lineout wasn't as good as it could be - but our scrum was fantastic and the attitude overall vastly better.''

Brad Thorn, starting for the first time this season, signalled his intentions when making a powerful tackle on Sharks No8 Ryan Kankowski that was ruled dangerous by referee Chris Pollock and Rory Kockett kicked the penalty from over 50m.

Dan Carter had a chance to even things up after 15 minutes after a ruck penalty but hooked his attempt wide.

Five minutes later and the Crusaders were on the board with a seven-pointer thanks to Guildford's first try.

A jolting tackle from prop Ben Franks, one of many he made on the night, spilled the ball and George Whitelock was away up field.

The Crusaders flanker was dragged down just short but recycled the ball and it found its way to Guildford (pictured above) who cut back against the defence and dotted down.

A scrum penalty by Carter after 34 minutes and another Kockett penalty from halfway pushed the score to 10-6 and the Crusaders would have gone to the break confident that they could build on good first half.

Another powerful Crusaders scrum and good defensive work by halfback Andy Ellis, who was physical all night, won the home side a penalty which was kicked by Carter.

Mid-way through the second half the All Blacks first-five added another as the Sharks were offside following a good run by Sean Maitland.

At 16-6 the Crusaders were on top but the Sharks were still hanging in there.

Guildford's second try - an intercept from 20m out - knocked the stuffing out of the visitors. The wing swooped on a long Riaan Swanepoel pass and scored beside the posts to take his tally to three tries for the season.

Things went from bad to worse for the Sharks, who had replacement first-five Andy Goode sinbinned for a high tackle on Carter with eight minutes left.

Replacement midfielder Adam Whitelock finished off a flowing move by the Crusaders when holding a long skip pass by Colin Slade.

And Tasman Makos Quentin MacDonald and Joe Wheeler had reason to celebrate when combining well to score the Crusaders' fourth try with two minutes left.

Lock Wheeler, in his first game for the Crusaders after replacing Thorn, made a good break and passed to hooker MacDonald, on for Ti'i Paulo, who scored.

The match featured the return to action of Richie McCaw, who joined the fray when replacing skipper Kieran Read in the second half.

His involvement could be significant as the Crusaders lost No8 Thomas Waldrom to an Achilles injury in the second half.

Prop Ben Franks also went off injured - in his case with a knee problem.

The good news is the Crusaders are back on track. All of the forwards played extremely well and halfback Ellis again had a good game with his defence and organisational work.

Carter scored 15 points which puts him third on the all-time Super rugby scorer's list behind Stirling Mortland and former Crusader Andrew Mehrtens. Carter overtook former Wallaby Matt Burke.

Crusaders - Tries: Zac Guildford (2), Adam Whitelock, Quentin MacDonald. Cons: Dan Carter: (3). Pens: Carter (3).

Sharks - Pens: Rory Kockett (2).

HT: Crusaders 10-6

Kickers:
Crusaders - Carter: 6 from 8.
Sharks - Kockett 2 from 2.

Crusaders:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Ti'i Paulo (Quentin MacDonald 72nd min)
3. Ben Franks (Owen Franks 37th min)
4. Brad Thorn (Joe Wheeler 75th min)
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Kieran Read (c) (Richie McCaw 52nd min)
7. George Whitelock
8. Thomas Waldrom
9. Andy Ellis (Kahn Fotuali'i 72nd min)
10. Dan Carter
11. Zac Guildford
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Robbie Fruean (Adam Whitelock 70th min)
14. Sean Maitland
15. Jared Payne (Colin Slade 70th min)