Backline stars Leicester Fainga'anuku and Will Jordan have crossed for three tries each, as the Crusaders restored some Super Rugby mojo, overrunning Western Force 53-15 at Perth.
After their shock defeat to NSW Waratahs last week, the southern powerhouse desperately sought a bounceback performance, but stumbled unconvincingly through an opening 40 minutes highlighted only by Fainga'anuku's hat-trick.
The Crusaders were forced to make make late changes to their starting line-up, with prop Oli Jager, lock Zach Gallagher, halfback Mitch Drummond and loose forward Dominic Gardner dropping out on medical grounds.
That disrupted preparation probably did not help them settle into the match and the Force capitalised, scoring the first try through fullback Jake Strachan and leading 8-5 after 16 minutes.
Crusaders first-five Richie Mo'unga didn't help matters, hooking and slicing three conversion attempts wide over the opening 40 minutes. Luckily, Fainga'anuku was scoring in fives and they lead 18-8 at halftime.
Moments after the restart, flanker Fergus Lee-Warner brought the home side within three points and that finally lit a fire under the visitors, who responded with 35 unanswered points - five tries, all converted by Mo'unga - to set matters right.
Argentine No.8 Pablo Matera continued his supreme form across the Tasman and kickstarted the avalanche of points, with Jordan building on his tryscoring legacy with three consecutive touchdowns, before replacement hooker George Bell scored on debut at the death.
With several frontline players due to return, the performance sets the Crusaders up nicely for a mouthwatering clash against top-ranked Aussies ACT Brumbies - still unbeaten against NZ opposition this season - at Canberra on Friday.
Crusaders 53 (Fainga'anuku 3, Jordan 3, Bell & Matera tries, Mo'unga penalty & 5 conversions) Force 15 (Strachan & Lee-Warner tries, Strachan penalty & conversion)
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