Defending Investec Super Rugby champions the Cruaders set up a record 17th straight win with a clinical first half performance to beat the Hurricanes 38-22 at Christchurch Stadium on Saturday night.

The home side dominated all facets of play in the first 40 minutes as the Hurricanes really struggled to get into the match.

Behind 24-0 at the break it was always going to take a massive effort for the Hurricanes to come back and salvage something from the match.

They did that, showing some great character to deny the Crusaders a bonus point with a late try to TJ Perenara.

It was not the performance the Hurricanes were looking for after their first-up win over the Waratahs but the way they came back in the second half should give them some belief heading into their first home match against the Brumbies in Palmerston North next Saturday night.

Despite some struggles at set piece, there was some bright spots as wing Ben Lam grabbed a double in the second half.

However, there was real frustration at how the first 40 minutes had unfolded.

"The first 40 minutes, they were a bit unreal," Hurricanes captain Dane Coles said. "They were pretty clinical and they gave us a good old lesson in how to play Super Rugby."

Coles said the squad would take plenty of more lessons from the match and would work hard to get back to where they need to be moving forward.

"It was a good way to finish, to deny them a bonus point, but there is plenty to work on heading into next week."

Crusaders 38 (Scott Barrett 2, Richie Mo'unga 2, Jordan Taufua, George Bridge tries; Mo'unga 3 con, Mitch Hunt con) Hurricanes 22 (Ben Lam 2, Wes Goosen, TJ Perenara tries; Jordie Barrett con) HT: 24-0

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