Crusaders romp past Waratahs as prop Afoa sets Super Rugby age record

Prop John Afoa became Super Rugby's oldest-ever player as his Canterbury Crusaders coasted past the New South Wales Waratahs 42-18 on Saturday to remain second in the standings.

Former All Black Afoa played his part after a surprise late call-up as the Crusaders scored six tries to three in Christchurch.

It left their Australian opponents in sixth place, where they are guaranteed to remain ahead of the top-eight finals series regardless of the results in next week's last round of regular season matches.

Fly-half Richie Mo'unga was a try-scorer and did not miss a shot at goal in a 17-point haul as the defending champion Crusaders notched a ninth win from their last 10 games, after making a sluggish start to the season.

A highlight was the starting appearance of Afoa, who from France two days earlier following a plea from coach Scott Robertson, who is without three injured All Blacks -- Joe Moody, George Bower and Fletcher Newell -- for the remainder of the season.

Former Auckland Blues tighthead Afoa had not played a Super Rugby match since 2011 and, at the age of 39 years and 223 days, became the competition's oldest player.

After his 496th first-class game -- more than half of which have been with European clubs Ulster, Gloucester and Bristol -- Afoa said he jumped at the chance to play for the Crusaders.

"When the call came, it doesn't matter if it's the Crusaders or the Blues, I was just keen to come home and play in front of New Zealanders and my family," he told broadcaster Sky Sport.

"The last couple of days have been a bit of a whirlwind but it's been amazing. I don't have many moons left in my career, this is probably the last year of my career."

David Havili was among the first-half try-scorers as the Crusaders pulled