Super Rugby: Crusaders 29-10 Waratahs
Last Updated: 20/05/16 2:47pm
The Crusaders bounced back from last weekend's loss to the Highlanders with a classy 29-10 win against the Waratahs in Christchurch.
Winger Johnny McNicholl scored a try after three minutes and made another for full-back Israel Dagg to give the Christchurch-based Crusaders a 12-0 lead after eight minutes in a match played in heavy rain.
McNicholl - who will play for the Scarlets next season - seemed to have a second try in the 12th minute but was denied on a technicality as the Crusaders dominated all of the opening exchanges.
The Waratahs struck back with a try to winger Rob Horne from an outside break by centre Israel Folau. But a try to fly-half Richie Mo'unga sent the Crusaders to half-time with a 22-5 advantage.
Flanker Jordan Taufua scored the Crusaders' fourth try in the 60th minute but they were denied a bonus point when former team-mate and All Blacks winger Zac Guildford scored a try out of nothing five minutes later.
"I thought it was outstanding," Crusaders captain Kieran Read said. "There was a bit of pressure on us this week for the first time in a while and to get a response like that, especially early, was great.
"Those conditions were pretty tough and the lads just came out firing, which was awesome."
The Waratahs will stay atop the Australian conference because their closest rivals, the Brumbies, have a bye this weekend.
"We saw the conditions as a positive for us, a really good chance to pressure the Crusaders get them on the back foot, force them into mistakes and us get the upper hand," Waratahs captain Michael Hooper said. "But it wasn't to be. They were really clinical the first 10 minutes."
