Crusaders bid farewell to Richie McCaw and Dan Carter by crushing Reds
Last Updated: 08/05/15 5:02pm
The Crusaders kept their Super Rugby play-off hopes alive with a 58-17 mauling of the Queensland Reds.
The hosts ran in eight tries in what was a fitting farewell to All Blacks greats Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, who played what is likely to be their final match for the Crusaders in Christchurch.
The Crusaders held a slender 15-10 half-time lead but cut loose after the restart, with winger Nenami Nadolo scoring two of their six second-half tries.
The Reds have not won in Christchurch since before either Carter or McCaw started playing Super Rugby and they looked unlikely to break that drought from the moment scrum-half Andy Ellis crossed for the home side's first try on three minutes.
Colin Slade added the second 15 minutes later, racing 40 metres to touch down after a midfield burst and offload from Carter, and the fly-half added a penalty in the 32nd minute to extend the lead.
The Reds hit back with a Samu Kerevi try on the stroke of half-time when the Crusaders had Dominic Bird in the sin-bin, but Nadolo restored their advantage with his ninth try of the season two minutes after the break.
The powerful winger secured the bonus point on 53 minutes when he barged across the line, before Sam Whitelock ran 60 metres and through five tacklers to score their fifth try before the hour mark.
McCaw came on the pitch to a rousing ovation just in time to see his heir apparent at openside, Matt Todd, score the sixth before debutant Jone Macilai and Bird completed the rout.
Reds winger Chris Feauai-Sautia barged over for a try a minute from time but it was scant consolation for the 2011 champions, who slumped to their ninth defeat in 11 matches.
