All Blacks star Dan Carter kicked 20 points as the Crusaders beat the Chiefs 25-19 in Napier to move to within two points of the Blues at the top of the New Zealand Super Rugby conference.
Both teams scored a try apiece in the second half after the scores were locked up at 6-6 at the break, but the Crusaders kept the Chiefs pinned with some precision kicking and scrum dominance.
Luke Romano crossed for the Crusaders while Liam Messam scored a late try to earn the Chiefs a bonus point, but the loss surely ends their playoffs hopes.
The Bulls beat the Sharks in the big South African derby, 32-23 at Pretoria, while elsewhere the New South Wales Waratahs beat South Africa's Lions 29-12 in Sydney, the Western Force drew with the ACT Brumbies 13-13 in Perth, and the Cheetahs beat the Melbourne Rebels 41-21 in Bloemfontein.
