The Crusaders have sent a number of departing players out in style with a 58-17 thrashing of the visiting Queensland Reds.
All Black greats Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter were among five Crusaders playing their last home Super Rugby games in Christchurch.
Daniel Carter (L) and Richie McCaw in the sheds after their Christchurch Super Rugby farewell Photo: Photosport
Colin Slade, Tom Taylor and the injured Willie Heinz have also now played their final home Super match in the Crusaders colours, and all five were farewelled in fine fashion as the hosts scored eight tries, with first-five Slade scoring 23 points from a try, six conversions and two penalty goals.
Departing Crusaders (from L) Richie McCaw, Colin Slade, Tom Taylor, Willie Heinz and Dan Carter Photo: Photosport
All Blacks captain McCaw and veteran first-five Carter have been the heart and soul of the most successful side in Super Rugby for more than a decade but Carter is off to France after the World Cup and McCaw has hinted he will retire.
Winger Nemani Nadolo snared a brace for the Crusaders with Slade, Andy Ellis, Sam Whitelock, Matt Todd, debutant Jone Macilai and Dominic Bird all also crossing to keep the seven-time champions' slender playoff hopes alive.
"The [farewells] were on a bit of a backburner this week in terms of what we needed to do but, having said that, these guys have done an awful lot for the Crusaders," said Crusaders captain Kieran Read.
Listen to Canterbury Rugby Supporters' Club president Dick Tayler
The Reds have not won in Christchurch since before either Carter or McCaw started playing Super Rugby and they looked unlikely to break that drought from the moment halfback Ellis crossed for the home side's first try in the third minute.
Slade added the second 15 minutes later, racing 40 metres to touch down after a midfield burst and offload from Carter, who was playing at second-five, and the 33-year-old added a penalty in the 32nd minute to extend the lead.
The Reds hit back with a Samu Kerevi try on the stroke of half-time when the Crusaders had lock Bird in the sin-bin but Nadolo restored the advantage with his ninth try of the season two minutes after the break.
The powerful winger intercepted a pass from James O'Connor before brushing off Lachie Turner's tackle to score in the corner. Slade added the extras from wide-out and his second penalty put the Crusaders 25-10 ahead after 50 minutes.
Nadolo secured the bonus point when he barged across the line for his second try two minutes later and lock Whitelock ran 60 metres through five tacklers to scored the fifth try before the hour mark, Slade converting both from wide-out.
McCaw came on the pitch to a rousing ovation just in time to see his heir apparent at openside flanker, Todd, score the sixth before replacement back Macilai and Bird completed the rout.
Reds winger Chris Feauai-Sautia barged over for a try a minute from time but it was scant consolation for the 2011 champions, who slumped to their ninth defeat in 11 matches.