Maximising opportunities has always been a key Crusaders asset and it was proven again as they claimed an 18-13 win over the Chiefs in Super Rugby Aotearoa in Christchurch on Sunday.
It made it two out of two for the Crusaders and also ended their frustrations at the Chiefs' hands from their two previous games.
Wet conditions inevitably made the ball slippery and handling difficult, but both sides gave the ball plenty of air and decided to attempt to run it as often as possible.
In that regard the Crusaders were the more pragmatic, not chancing their arm unnecessarily whereas scoreboard pressure demanded the Chiefs looked to play with a higher risk factor.
It wasn't until the fourth quarter that they gained a momentum switch allowing them to put pressure back on the home side who had to call on all of their defensive capability.
Making light of the conditions were the respective fullbacks, Will Jordan for the Crusaders and Damian McKenzie for the visitors. However, it was Jordan, who scored two tries, and who was faultless under the high kicks who enjoyed the better afternoon. McKenzie's misaligning of a high kick created the first try-scoring chance that the Crusaders took with interest.
There was little chance for the forwards to shine as securing the ball became their main role although returning flanker Sam Cane was in the thick of action alongside Lachlan Boshier, but similarly, Billy Harmon and Cullen Grace filled the same role for the Crusaders.
The sides traded 10th and 23rd-minute penalty goals before the first try was scored in the 32nd minute.
It came after a Chiefs lineout throw on the Crusaders' 10m line went astray and was claimed off the back of the lineout by Grace. From the ruck he created, first five-eighths Richie Mo'unga launched a high ball to the left.
McKenzie went high but failed to take the ball which fell to Crusaders wing Sevu Reece in open real estate. He raced forward, linked with Jordan who ran in to score.
Quick thinking by the Crusaders in the conditions after a 43rd -minute flick pass by Cruden to his outside went to touch. Reece chased the ball and found Jordan running at pace from depth to take the quick throw, break halfback Brad Weber's tackle and put his speed to use to score his second try.
The introduction of players from the Chiefs' bench provided a welcome boost and in the 63rd-minute it bore fruit. Utilising their attacking lineout the Chiefs secured the ball through replacement Adam Thomson and fed replacement flanker Mitch Karpik on a charge towards the line.
More heavy artillery lined up for the Chiefs as they took play to the line where Weber flicked a pass to wing Sean Wainui for him to take advantage of a lack of Crusaders defenders to score a deserved try in his constant hunt for work on a day not made for wings.
McKenzie drew the Chiefs within five points with a penalty goal with 12 minutes remaining.
But then the weather combined with Chiefs' desperation, as attacking chances were lost, usually to handling problems with the slippery ball. Compounding their hopes were the dogged Crusaders defenders who put up an impenetrable wall at the key moments.
Scorers: Crusaders 18 (Will Jordan 2 tries; Richie Mo'unga con, 2 pen) Chiefs 13 (Sean Wainui tries; Damian McKenzie con, 2 pen). HT: 10-3
Crusaders: 1.Joe Moody (replaced by Isileli Tuungafasi – 64m), 2.Codie Taylor (captain), 3.Michael Alaalatoa (replaced by George Bower – 66m), 4.Sam Whitelock, 5.Mitchell Dunshea (replaced by Luke Romano – 61m), 6.Cullen Grace, 7.Billy Harmon, 8.Whetukamokamo Douglas (replaced by Ethan Blackadder – 51m), 9.Bryn Hall (replaced by Mitchell Drummond – 51m), 10.Richie Mo'unga, 11.George Bridge (replaced by Leicester Fainga'anuku – 68m), 12.Jack Goodhue, 13.Braydon Ennor, 14.Sevu Reece (replaced by David Havili – 51m), 15.Will Jordan.
Substitutes (not used): 16.Brodie McAlister.
Chiefs: 1.Aidan Ross (replaced by Reuben O'Neill – 62m), 2.Bradley Slater (replaced by Samisoni Taukei'aho – 53m), 3.Nepo Laulala (replaced by Ross Geldenhus – 62), 4.Mitchell Brown (replacement by Adam Thomson – 62m), 5.Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 6.Lachlan Boshier, 7.Sam Cane (captain – replaced by Mitchell Karpik – 62m), 8.Pita Gus Sowakula, 9.Brad Weber, 10.Aaron Cruden, 11.Sean Wainui, 12.Anton Lienert-Brown, 13.Quinn Tupaea (replaced by Tumua Manu – 61m), 14.Etene Nanai-Seturo, 15.Damian McKenzie.
Substitutes: 20. Karpik (replaced by Cane (HIA) 70m), not used: 21.Lisati Milo-Harris, 22.Kaleb Trask.