The Crusaders launched Super Round with a 35-20 victory over the NSW Waratahs at the new One NZ Stadium, overcoming early pressure and a spirited second-half challenge to secure a bonus-point win in front of 25,237 fans.
After trailing 6-0, the hosts responded through a double to Dallas McLeod and a rolling maul try to take a narrow halftime lead, before extending their advantage despite multiple yellow cards on both sides.
The Waratahs threatened late through Teddy Wilson’s try, but Macca Springer’s score sealed the result, ensuring the Crusaders avoided a historic clean sweep of losses to Australian teams and moved to 5-5 for the season, level on points with the fourth-placed Brumbies.
