Crusaders coach Scott Robertson says his side were delighted to mark their first game at Christchurch Stadium in a month with a commanding 36-14 win against the Brumbies.
The match was their first home game since the last month's mosque shootings, and there has been plenty of debate around the Crusaders name which has affected the players and coaching staff.
Their first match after the shootings eight days later ended in a loss against the Waratahs, and they responded to that with a big win against the Hurricanes in Wellington.
But there was plenty of attention around the fixture against the Brumbies, and Robertson feels his players handled the occasion well after a challenging few weeks away from home.
"We wanted to keep the week as normal as possible," he said.
"We were a little bit too emotional in that Waratahs game, and maybe too keen. When it clicked for us at halftime, the energy was good, we had clear heads.
"[It was] great to get in front of our people and put a show on that we're proud of, and I'm sure they are.
"It's a long time from the SCG. It feels good to get our rhythm back, a lot of players coming back into form."
The Crusaders trailed 7-0 at the break against the Brumbies, but that didn't faze Robertson's side, who responded with 33 unanswered points with five tries.
Wingers Sevu Reece and Will Jordan both grabbed doubles, with flanker Jordan Taufua also claiming a try before the Brumbies grabbed a consolation try.
The Crusaders' next three matches are at home, and they face the Highlanders first-up in what should be a thrilling southern derby.
While the Crusaders are flying high atop the standings, the Highlanders are in a massive slump, having lost their last four games. Robertson knows they'll be desperate to return to winning ways.
"The Highlanders are hurting, and we have a big rivalry against them. They can play, and it's been tough for them having lost games in the last 15 minutes, so we have to be good."
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