Reigning champions the Crusaders ran out 33-11 winners over the Sunwolves on Saturday, but the Japan-based side can take plenty of encouragement from their performance against one of Super Rugby's powerhouses.

The Crusaders racked up a 50-3 victory a year ago in the only previous meeting between the sides, and after going up 14-0 with less than 10 minutes elapsed at AMI Stadium, all signs pointed to a similarly one-sided affair.

But with the heavens opening up over Canterbury on New Zealand's South Island, the visitors put in a tenacious effort to go into the break only nine points down.

Captain Lappies Labuschagne led from the front, tackling relentlessly while providing composure in attack to ensure the Sunwolves remained in contention until midway through the second half.

The Crusaders crossed for their first try in the opening minute after Sunwolves No. 10 Hayden Parker failed to find touch with a clearance kick, allowing the home side to launch an attack from just outside the visitors' 22-meter line.

With an overlap on the right, Crusaders flyhalf Mike Delaney quickly spread the ball wide, setting up outside center Ryan Crotty for the five-pointer with a perfectly weighted cut-out pass.

(The Crusaders' Ethan Blackadder [6] is tackled by Michael Little of the Sunwolves.)
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Delaney added the extra points, after which the home side quickly scored their second try by pushing over captain Matt Todd following a short lineout.

The Sunwolves struck back in the 13th minute, with inside center Michael Little acrobatically diving across the line for a try in the left corner.

It was a fitting reward for the visitors, who capitalized on successive advantage calls while pressuring the Crusaders in front of their posts before spreading the ball to where the Sunwolves had numbers out wide.

Match officials mulled suspending play midway through the half as lightning lit up the night sky near the stadium. The storm soon abated, however, and the visitors ramped up the intensity as both sides struggled with the wet ball.

The Sunwolves had the first points after the break as Parker slotted a penalty goal from near the right touchline for 14-8 at the 42-minute mark.

The visitors earned another spot kick eight minutes later when Crusaders prop Owen Franks was penalized for an early shove amid sustained pressure by the Sunwolves on their opponents' goal line. Parker added the three points to move the scores to 14-11 with half an hour remaining.

The hosts struck back six minutes later, however, with a brilliant individual try to Crotty, before seemingly putting the game beyond reach in the 61st minute as Manasa Mataele crossed and Delany converted for a 26-11 lead.

(Sunwolves coach Jamie Joseph)
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The home side added an exclamation mark and protected their bonus point with a 79th-minute try to Jack Stratton. Labuschagne said the wet conditions helped the Sunwolves stymie the Crusaders' normally expansive passing game.

"We tried to create pressure all over. Especially when it's wet, we knew the game was going to be a bit closer," he said.

"We know they're a great side and we just came out and tried to put them under pressure, and it actually went well until midway through the second half."

The South African-born flanker said the Sunwolves are confident they are nearing a breakthrough victory after losing all eight Super Rugby matches so far this season.

"We're not quite there yet, but we're positive and we're sure we'll get there," he said.

The Sunwolves play their next match away to the Wellington-based Hurricanes on Friday.