Crusaders' rout is 'pretty pleasing'

The Crusaders returned to form with a vengeance when they crushed the Blues 59-12 in a nine-tries-to-two drubbing in their Super Rugby clash in Christchurch on Saturday.

Stung by criticism that they have been well below par, particularly after losing to the Rebels last week, the seven-time champions produced a well-drilled performance to hammer the Blues with constant waves of attacks.

With their talisman players Richie McCaw and Dan Carter back to near their best, the Crusaders regained fifth place from the Highlanders, while the Blues continue to languish near the bottom.

McCaw described the performance as "pretty pleasing" as they enter the critical part of the season before the play-offs.

"We didn't do anything different, it's just that we were clinical when we had the ball, we played at the right end of the field and the opportunities we got we made them count.

"The kicks were good when we had to kick, with the chase there was a lot of energy and the boys carried it at the right times. It's just getting the mix right and when we did that we managed to put the points on."

"There's not a lot between having a good day and a bad day but when it comes together like this it's pretty pleasing."