The Crusaders produced a statement performance in Christchurch, running in 11 tries to rout the Fijian Drua 69-26 as the hosts staged an emotional farewell to their Addington home ground. The rout was crowned by hooker Codie Taylor’s four-try haul in his 150th appearance for the club, a landmark afternoon that also saw him become the highest try-scoring forward in Super Rugby history.
Christchurch exploded out of the blocks, crossing for five tries inside the opening 31 minutes to seize control. Taylor struck twice from driving mauls in that early flurry, while winger Sevu Reece grabbed an incisive double to blow the game open. Chay Fihaki finished the day with two tries of his own and first-five Taha Kemara kept the scoreboard ticking with accurate kicking as the Crusaders showcased the attacking depth that has underpinned their long domestic dominance.
Taylor completed his personal haul early in the second half, adding to a dominant display that combined raw power in close and an uncanny instinct for support play. His afternoon concluded with a warm standing ovation when he was substituted — a fitting send-off amid the emotion of the venue’s final match before the team relocates to the newly completed Te Kaha Stadium. The four tries extended Taylor’s record as the leading try-scoring forward in Super Rugby, adding an individual milestone to the club’s emphatic team performance.
The Drua offered moments of resistance, particularly after the interval, and No.8 Elia Canakaivata supplied a bright spot with two well-taken tries. But the visitors were unable to contain the Crusaders’ early onslaught, and defensive lapses away from home persisted as a clear concern. Despite glimpses of promise in the second half, the damage from the one-sided opening period proved insurmountable.
Sunday’s result is the Crusaders’ third straight win, lifting them to fourth place on the competition table as they prepare for life at Te Kaha. For the Drua, the heavy defeat underscores recurring issues in their defensive structure when playing on the road; coach and players will need to address those shortcomings quickly if they are to climb the standings after a weekend bookended by scattered attacking flashes but costly defensive errors.
Beyond the immediate scoreboard, the match will be remembered for its dual narratives: a club milestone and stadium farewell for the Crusaders, and a reminder of the work ahead for the Drua if they are to convert individual moments of brilliance into consistent results. The Crusaders head into their new home full of confidence, while the Drua must take stock of defensive frailties before their next outing.
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