All Black Will Jordan stood out on his return to action, as the Crusaders produced an emphatic performance to defeat Western Force 48-13 in Christchurch on Saturday.
Led by a hat-trick to hooker Brodie McAlister, and doubles to wingers Leicester Fainga'anuku and Macca Springer, the Crusades ran in eight tries to the Force's one, claiming a bonus-point victory at OrangeTheory Stadium to bounce back from last week's defeat to the Chiefs.
Saturday's victory also marked a triumphant return for 25-year-old Jordan, making his first appearance of the season after battling an inner-ear vestibular issue since last year's northern tour.
In 56 minutes, Jordan set up two tries, as part of nine runs for 137 metres, throwing one offload, beating five defenders and making two line breaks. On defence, Jordan won one turnover, to go with two tackles made.
Victory sends the Crusaders up to second on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder for the time being, with the bonus point win moving the reigning champions to 33 points to leapfrog the Hurricanes, Brumbies and Blues.
However, both the Blues and Brumbies could leapfrog the Crusaders by the end of the round, as they face Moana Pasifika and the Rebels respectively.
After the Force took an early lead through the boot of debutant Max Burey, the Crusaders sprung into life when hooker Brodie McAlister scored the first try of the afternoon from the back of a driving maul.
In identical fashion, Burey kicked a second penalty to restore the Force's advantage, only for McAlister and the lineout drive to come to the fore once again, as the Crusaders regained control at 10-6.
Four minutes later, the returning Will Jordan sent winger Leicester Fainga'anuku over in the corner for the Crusaders' third try, before David Havili put winger Macca Springer in to score the fourth and final of the first half from the back of a scrum.
Up 24-6 at the break, McAlister had his hat-trick to start the second-half with a treble from lineout drives, before Jordan and Fainga'anuku combined again in another lethal set-piece move.
From the back of another scrum, Springer had his second before the hour mark, diving over the corner.
After completing his hat-trick, McAlister made his way to the bench - only for replacement Codie Taylor to score the Crusaders' eighth try, and fourth by a hooker, going over from close range, as Richie Mo'unga's conversion made it 48-6.
In the 68th minute, the Force finally managed to grab a try back when replacement loose forward Jackson Pugh was put over in the left corner, but it was too little, too late against a fluent Crusaders side.
With time up, the Crusaders searched for one last score to bring up their half-century of points, but the Force defence resisted a late scramble to limit the damage.
The Crusaders' victory will see the side brimming with confidence for their next encounter, hosting the Blues at the same venue next Saturday.
Defeat meanwhile leaves the Force second from bottom on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, with only the winless Moana Pasifika below them.
Crusaders 48 (McAlister 3, Fainga'anuku 2, Springer 2, Taylor tries; Mo'unga 5 conversions)
Western Force 13 (Pugh try, Burey conversion, Burey 2 penalties)
