The Crusaders' stranglehold over the Blues continues at Te Kaha, with Leicester Fainga'anuku putting on a masterclass in a 36-20 victory.
The converted flanker was sensational in Christchurch, with a performance reminiscent of Ardie Savea's herculean effort for Moana Pasifika against the same opposition in 2025.
The switch to seven has proved more than fruitful and may have some calling for him to fill the openside position for the All Blacks, although he would need to hold off the world's best player to do so.
The iconic Crusaders horses made their grand return after a short retirement and ushered in the era in familiar style, a dominant win.
Marking his 100th Super Rugby match with his first-ever try, prop George Bower was finally on the board, as the southerners pulled a slick lineout move to the front.
After a blockbuster run and a couple of pilfers, Fainga'anuku showed off his full range of skills, sending a chip over the top, which Sam Nock couldn't control, allowing lock Jamie Hannah to swoop and score.
Just when the Blues looked like conceding a third, the tide turned.
The visitors went coast to coast, as centre AJ Lam produced a mesmerising run, evading the Crusaders converging on him.
With the shackles broken, the Blues went back to back to snatch a 13-12 halftime lead, Nock spotting the defence napping and sniping over from the base of the scrum.
The Crusaders struck just after the break, with a nifty step by Rivez Reihana sending him in between the sticks untouched.
Replacement halfback Kyle Preston extended the lead with another counter-attacking try, sparked by a big break by hooker George Bell.
No.8 Hoskins Sotutu offered the Blues a glimmer of hope, when he muscled over, but that was quickly quashed, when Fainga'anuku kicked along the carpet and winger Sevu Reece won the race.
Bell drove the knife in deeper with another try to yet again send the Blues home from Christchurch in defeat.
As they so often do, the Crusaders are hitting their straps right at the business end of the season.
