San Francisco Frontiers - 'Turning point' as Crusaders notch first Super Rugby win

The try-laden 43-33 victory in Hamilton on Saturday evening was the first meeting of the two powerful New Zealand sides since the Crusaders won last year's grand final 16-12.

Penney's side had opened their campaign with losses to the Otago Highlanders and ACT Brumbies and he admitted his players did not savour the prospect of a third defeat.

"It was always going to be a bit of a turning point for us, we had to front," Penney told reporters.

"It's just a natural human instinct to want to do better if you've had a couple of knockbacks.

"You wouldn't want that losing to go on for another couple of weeks. There would have been some spotlight on us emerging and that wouldn't have been healthy."

All Blacks back-rower Christian Lio-Willie crossed for three of the Crusaders' six tries as they overcame an early 14-0 deficit, producing some scintillating attacking play to score 36 unanswered points through the middle stages.

With the Crusaders missing a number of All Blacks, including injured forwards Scott Barrett and Codie Taylor, Penney said he admired how his young players responded.

"The belief and the knowledge that they can beat good teams away from home, it does something, it galvanises groups," he said.

"To beat the Chiefs here is a great honour. We've just got to make the most of this."

Penney singled out hooker George Bell for a "commanding performance" and was unclear how serious a leg injury was for the four-Test All Black, who was assisted off late in the game.

It was a first defeat for the Chiefs, who host Moana Pasifika next week, while the Crusaders face the Auckland Blues.

O.Anderson--SFF