The Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has hailed his side's dogged defence following their nail-biting 18-17 Super Rugby win over the defending champion Chiefs in Hamilton.
Trailing 17-9 at half-time the visitors clawed their way back in front through the boot of first five Colin Slade before repelling a desperate Chiefs onslaught in the final 8 minutes to claim their fifth win of the season.
Blackadder says the gritty performance reminded him of the Crusaders of old, a team that won a host of Super Rugby titles
The win lifts the Crusaders to sixth on the overall ladder and second in the New Zealand conference behind the Chiefs, though it came at a cost with captain Kieran Read leaving the field after receiving his second concussion of the season.
