All eyes now turn to the Blues, after the Crusaders successfully extended New Zealand's Super Rugby winning streak over the Aussies with a 55-10 road victory over the Rebels on Friday night.
The run now sits at 37 games, but will be under real threat when the Aucklanders, ranked bottom of the NZ conference, visit the top-ranked Australia side - the Waratahs - on Saturday.
The defending Super Rugby champions were held to a three-point lead halfway through their Melbourne fixture, but rattled off 42 points - including six tries over the closing 40 minutes - in an absolutely dominant display.
As it happened: Super Rugby - Crusaders vs Melbourne Rebels
Hooker Andrew Makalio secured a try-scoring double in his first start of the season, while right winger Seta Tamanivalu scored one and created two others, including one for Makalio.
The Rebels claimed the early lead with a penalty, but their rivals quickly went onto attack and built pressure through continuity. From a third penalty in quick succession, the ball was flung wide for Tamanivalu to score in the corner.
The Crusaders doubled their score, after Ryan Crotty made a break down the left flank and when the ball spun right, Peter Samu stumbled to within a few metres of the line for Makalio to finish.
Both teams were reduced to 14 men for a time, after Rebels centre Reece Hodge and Crusaders flanker Matt Todd were both punished for deliberate knock-ons.
But moments after returning to the field, Hodge brought his side to level terms, pouncing on a loose ball from halfback Mitchell Drummond and racing away for a try, converted by Jack Debreczeni.
The Crusaders lost fullback David Havili to the bin soon after, but lock Scott Barrett seemed to have scored, after Drummond broke upfield and found his teammate charging behind him in support.
Barrett rolled over the line, but Hodge managed to dislodge the ball before he could force it and the try was disallowed after video review.
First-five Richie Mounga, returning from a long injury lay-off, found the posts with a penalty after the half-time siren to give the visitors their advantage at the break.
Miraculously, the Rebels had missed 24 tackles over the opening 40 minutes and were still in the contest.
Soon after the restart, Makalio had his second try, when Mounga kicked high to the right wing, Tamanivalu gathered and passed inside to his beaming hooker.
When Drummond found centre Jack Goodhue cutting on an angle to score, the rout was on. Tamanivalu offloaded for Samu to cross and from the ensuing kick-off, replacement scrumhalf Bryn Hall added another to put the result beyond doubt.
Veteran prop Wyatt Crockett and Manasa Mataele provided the icing on the cake with late tries.
The Crusaders' performance consolidated their position on top of the New Zealand conference and overall, with eight wins from 10 games.
Crusaders 55 (Andrew Makalio 2, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Pete Samu, Bryn Hall, Wyatt Crockett, Manasa Mataele tries; Richie Mo'unga 2 con, pen; Mitch Hunt 4 con) Melbourne Rebels 10 (Reece Hodge try; Jack Debreczeni pen, con). HT: 13-10
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