Crusaders

Instead the fullback, who was making his Super Rugby comeback after suffering a serious shoulder injury almost six months ago, chose the liquid option.

The Force led 19-13 until the 78th minute when the Crusaders scored a late try through Jordan Taufua.

The visitors still trailed by a point but Richie Mo'unga slotted the conversion with ease to give his side their sixth win of the season.

RNZI reports the Crusaders won't be rushing All Black fullback Israel Dagg back into their side for Friday night's match against the Western Force in Perth.

Dagg, who missed out on the All Blacks World Cup squad last year, played club rugby in Christchurch at the weekend having recovered from the dislocated shoulder he suffered while playing for Hawkes Bay in September.

The Crusaders scored six tries to the Lions four to move to 18 points, four behind the Highlanders, who took top spot in the New Zealand conference with an error ridden 32-20 win over the Western Force in Dunedin last night.

Centre Ryan Crotty scored a hat-trick as the visiting Crusaders ran in six tries to the Lions four to beat the in-form home side and make it two wins from two games on their trip to South Africa.

In Durban, South Africa, the Crusaders recovered from two intercept tries to Sharks wing Lwazi Mvovo to win 19-14 thanks to a try in the last 10 minutes to All Blacks No. 8 Kieran Read.

The Crusaders had all the territory and possession at Kings Park, but two backline mistakes allowed Mvovo to speed away for a 14-7 lead for the home team.

The Crusaders also claimed the bonus point as they raced in eight tries against the South Africans in Christchurch, combining some brutal defence - and watching men like Owen Franks and Luke Romano slam their bodies into opponents accentuated their enthusiasm in this facet - with movements involving sweet passes in contact, eager counter-attacks and an ability to expose the Kings frail midfield.

The blame for the terrible mis-matches foisted upon us in Super Rugby must be assigned to the same bampots from Sanzaar who agreed to the fruitcake competition draw many of us are still trying to comprehend.

The Crusaders scrum was dominant from the outset and led to a penalty try to the hosts as they took a 13-3 half-time lead.

Number eight Kieran Read scored in the 68th minute and first-five Richie Mo'unga dotted down on the stroke of full-time.

Nadolo said he is still loving being a part of the Crusaders, but was excited to receive an opportunity to play again in France after a stint over there with Bourgoin in the 2010-11 season.

They've lost extensive playing riches in Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter for 2016 and long-time coach Todd Blackadder has announced he will finish after the next Super Rugby campaign.