24 Mar 2017

Crusaders thrash the Force 45-17

10:17 pm on 24 March 2017

The Crusaders have maintained their unbeaten record with their fifth straight win, beating the Australian side the Western Force 45-7 in Christchurch tonight.

Super Rugby match, Blues v Crusaders at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand. 17 March 2017

Photo: Photosport / Martin Hunter

AAP reported The Force took control of play early in the second half, but the home side soon regained momentum and cruised to victory.

The Crusaders scored four tries in the first 30 minutes.

The Force trailed 28-17 at half-time. Then they could not make the most of a 59th-minute yellow card to Crusaders substitute Tim Perry.

The Crusaders made the most of a 70th-minute yellow card to Force flanker Isi Naisarani.

The victory means the home side secured a bonus-point win and extended their winning streak to five matches.

There were injuries in the game.

The Force's flanker, Kane Koteka, went off in the first half after copping a brutal hit from Crusaders No.8 Jordan Taufua while making a tackle.

Their prop, Jermaine Ainsley, suffered an arm injury when a scrum collapsed on him. He screamed in pain and writhed on the ground before he was helped off the field.

- AAP