Captain Codie Taylor's try double has helped propel the Crusaders into the playoff conversation with a 43-10 victory over Moana Pasifika in their regular-season finale at Christchurch's Apollo Projects Stadium.
Stringing together their first back-to-back wins of a dismal season, the defending champions have leapfrogged Western Force and Fijian Drua to eighth on the competition table, but must now hope other results go their way, namely a Melbourne Rebels win over the Drua on Saturday.
Needing victory to keep their hopes alive, the Crusaders trailled early, but overran their plucky opponents with seven tries, securing their bonus point before halftime.
Significantly, three of them - including Taylor's pair - came from attacking lineouts, after that set-piece had been a source of weakness throughout the season.
Coach Rob Penney took a gamble by resting All Blacks Sevu Reece and Fletcher Newell, with midfielder David Havili also missing through injury, but they were barely missed.
The Crusaders had an early opportunity, when they won a scrum penalty inside Moana territory and entered the 22 with a touchfinder. Lock Antonio Shalfoon galloped over the tryline, but lost the ball before he could force it.
They were held up again from an attacking scrum and first-five Fergus Burke had a pass intercepted, as the attack broke down.
In his final home game for the franchise, veteran prop Joe Moody copped a yellow card for a swinging arm that made head contact in a tackle and soon after, first-five Willie Havili put the visitors ahead with a penalty.
The shothanded home side had a chance to equalise with a penalty in front, but kicked to the corner instead and flanker Todd Blackadder was shunted over in the lineout maul.
After Moody's return, Taylor grabbed his team's second try in identical fashion, consolidating his mantle as Super Rugby's most tryscoring forward.
Moana winger Fine inisi took an inside pass from brother Lotu to cross from a set move off an attacking lineout, but moments later, he was cooling his heels on the sideline, after intentionally knocking down a Crusaders pass.
From the ensuing penalty and lineout, Taylor was mauled across for his second try, before veteran second-five Ryan Crotty crossed in the corner from broken play, giving his side an important bonus point just before the break.
By the time Inisi restored Moana Pasifika to full strength just after the restart, his team had leaked two tries in his absence to trail 26-10.
Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham stretched that advantage, when he snaffled a loose ball, kicked into the 22 and beat Havili to the bounce to score.
Quick hands put centre Dallas McLeod into space for another try, as Moana Pasifika watched their post-season dream fading fast. Winger Macca Springer had one in the same corner, when he recovered a clever kick from fullback Johnny McNicholl at full speed.
The Pacific Islanders had a chance to peg back a consolation try, when they had possession at the fulltime siren, but their attack was stifled by a ruck turnover and Burke found touch to end the contest.
"It'll be the first time I'll be going for an Australian team tomorrow, so that's a bit unique," admitted Taylor. "We had a really good week and knew what was needed tonight, so I'm really proud of the boys' efforts.
"We did exactly what we talked about in training - we've done everything we can. Finals footy, we love it and we want to be in it.
"The season hasn't really set us up the way we wanted to, but we've still got a chance."
After toppling the tabletopping Blues last week, the Crusaders loom as opponents no-one will feel comfortable facing in the playoffs, if they make it that far.
Crusaders 43 (Taylor 2, Blackadder, Crotty, Hotham, McLeod, Springer tries; Burke 4 conversions) Moana Pasifika 10 (F Inisi try; Havili penalty & conversion)
