MELBOURNE – Record eight-time Super Rugby champion Crusaders overpowered the Rebels 55-10 after leading 13-10 at half-time.
It was the Crusaders biggest win in Australia and stretched New Zealand's winning run over Australian opposition to 37 straight matches.
The Crusaders paid for ill-discipline with flanker Matt Todd and fullback David Havili both sin-binned as the Rebels drew level at 10-10 before the Kiwis edged ahead with a penalty after the half-time siren.
The Rebels' misery was compounded by a medial knee ligament injury to their Wallaby scrum-base general Will Genia, forcing him from the field just before half-time.
The Crusaders launched into a six-try second half with a try double to hooker Andrew Makalio and an impressive return from injury for fly-half Richie Mo'unga.
“The main thing at half-time was discipline, we had a couple of guys in the bin in the first half and no matter who you're playing if you're down to 14 players for a long period of time you pay,” Crusaders skipper Sam Whitelock said.
“It was great tonight, the boys worked hard for each other.”