Chiefs go top as Crusaders claim first win in Fiji

Canterbury Crusaders produced a fast start in a 31-14 bonus-point victory over Fijian Drua in their Super Rugby Pacific clash in Suva on Saturday to claim a first win in Fiji as they moved to within two points of the table-topping Waikato Chiefs.

The Chiefs knocked the Queensland Reds off top spot with a 27-15 win in Hamilton on Friday, and now have 26 points from their seven matches played, with the Crusaders on 24 points and the Reds in third on 23. 

The Crusaders were looking to bounce back from a shock 45-29 home loss to Moana Pasifika last week and scored five tries.

Fullback Will Jordan was sublime in attack with three scoring assists as the visitors took a 31-0 lead before two tries in the final quarter for the home side breathed some life into the contest.

"In typical Drua fashion, they never say never and hung in there right until the end. I’m just really proud of the boys with the way we started and built a bit of momentum in that first half and hung on towards the end," Crusaders captain Codie Taylor told Sky Sport.

"We were pretty embarrassed with last week and we really questioned our mindset."

Two tries in the final 10 minutes secured the Chiefs a home victory against the Reds in a contest that was closer than the scoreline suggests.

Samisoni Taukei’aho and Xavier Roe crossed for scores as incessant Chiefs pressure and Reds ill-discipline decided the contest after the teams had been level at 10-10 at halftime.

Auckland Blues claimed a second win of the season as they edged Wellington Hurricanes 19-18 at Eden Park.

A try from prop Marcel Renata and 14 points from the boot of flyhalf Beauden Barrett sealed the win, bringing to an end a three-game losing streak.

"The way we ground that out, we can be proud of how we