The Crusaders scored 41 points in the second half to secure a resounding 57-29 win over the Reds on Sunday.
The teams turned at 17-16 in favour of the home team, but a second-half blitz from the seven-times champions wrapped up a bonus-point victory against Australian opposition for the second successive week.
It was the Reds who made the running early on as they capitalised on an Andy Ellis yellow card to run in two tries while the Crusaders were a man down.
However, 31 points in 20 minutes put paid to their chances, as the Crusaders made the most of the Reds lacklustre defence to run in five tries after the break.
Colin Slade had a perfect day with the boot, slotting all 11 of his attempts at goal as the Crusaders made their title credentials known ahead of their clash with the table-topping Sharks next week.
Reds – Tries: Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, Dom Shipperley, Rod Davies, Rob Simmons. Conversions: Quade Cooper (3). Penalties: Cooper.
Crusaders – Tries: Nemani Nadolo (2), Wyatt Crockett, Johnny McNicholl (2), Luke Whitelock. Conversions: Colin Slade (6). Penalties: Slade (5).
Reds – 15 Mike Harris, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Anthony Fainga'a, 11 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Curtis Browning, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 James Hanson, 1 Ben Daley.
Subs: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Albert Anae, 18 Jono Owen, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Dave McDuling, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Ben Lucas, 23 Rod Davies.
Crusaders – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Ryan Crotty (c), 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Subs: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 George Whitelock, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Tyler Bleyendaal, 23 Nafi Tuitavake.
Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
