Will Jordan's try double has helped the Crusaders to a 29-21 win over Western Force in a close-run Super Rugby Trans-Tasman encounter in Christchurch.
But while the result puts the Aotearoa champions on top of the table early on the penultimate round of games before the final, they really needed a bonus point to ensure they remained in contact with the competition frontrunners into the closing weekend.
Playing without talismanic first-five Richie Mo'unga and veteran lock Sam Whitelock - among other frontliners - the southerners took a while to gel and found themselves down a converted try, when former Chiefs wing Toni Pulu crossed in the corner after five minutes.
Argentinian Domingo Miotti converted from the sideline to put the visitors seven points ahead, but their advantage was short-lived, with Manasa Mataele scoring for the Crusaders and Fergus Burke - Mo'unga's understudy - converting.
The Aotearoa champions took their first lead, when Will Jordan crossed out wide, then Whetu Douglas drove over from a rolling maul to extend the margin into double figures.
The West Australians struck back, when No.8 Ollie Callan capitalised on a period of attack from their forwards to plunge over.
The Crusaders had tries to Mataele and prop Tamaiti Williams disallowed for infringements, but they stretched their lead to 24-14 on halftime, when Sione Havili was driven over from a tap penalty beside the posts.
After the break, the Force threatened to close the deficit, but could not finish their opportunities. Instead, Jordan crossed for a second and almost had his hat-trick soon after, when a foot in touch saved the Aussies further embarrassment.
Western Force enjoyed long periods of possession and position, and only some staunch defence from the home side kept them out.
With the final seconds ticking down, the Aussies stole the ball on their own line and captain Kyle Godwin spotted no-one home behind the Crusaders defence, kicking long for replacement Jordan Olowofela to chase and score a try that deprived the tresured bonus point.
The five-time Super Rugby champions must now hope the Blues or Hurricanes stumble against their Australian opposition over the final two weeks.
Crusaders 29 (Jordan 2, Mataele, Douglas & Havili tries; Burke 2 conversions) Western Force 21 (Pulu, Olowofela & Callan tries; Miotti 3 conversions)
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