Super Rugby’s most successful franchise got back on track this weekend as they picked up their first win of the season.
Down the Chiefs 37 – 26, the Crusaders proved that class is permanent and reminded the rest of the competition that they are far from done.
Absolutely blitzing the Chiefs, who had rotated a few contributors, will do Rob Penney a world of good as they head into a bye-week.
Leading the charge for the defending champions was young halfback Noah Hotham who had two early try assists.
Elsewhere former U20 All Black hooker George Bell was superb and looks to be the real deal as both the Crusaders and All Blacks look to bring in new blood behind Codie Taylor.
In a similar mould to his mentor Taylor and former All Black hooker Dane Coles, Bell is an uber-athletic front row with backline pace.
Displaying his full dynamism, Bell scored an exceptional long-range try to take his team out of range of the Chiefs.
Taking a simple tip on ball, Bell found a small gap to explode through.
From here, the hooker had enough pace and power to leave the Chiefs defence in his wake and go over in the left-hand corner.
At just 22-years-old the hooker looks to have a bright future in Crusaders jersey and has the benefit of having worked with new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson.
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