Australia’s horror weekend in the Super Rugby competition has continued with the conference-leading Brumbies crushed 40-20 by the Crusaders on Saturday in Christchurch.

The Brumbies, who haven’t won in Christchurch since 2000, had more possession and territory but the undisciplined visitors were booted out of the game by Crusaders five-eighth Colin Slade, who outscored them on his own.

The All Black landed seven out of eight penalties and one out of two conversion attempts to finish with 23 points.

The Crusaders did well in the set-pieces and outmuscled the Brumbies at the breakdown.

“You’re not going to get a result against a good Crusaders side unless you are solid in your set-piece and we were there for most of the game and then weren’t there in parts,” Brumbies captain Ben Mowen said.

“Early on, they put good momentum on the scoreboard and had us chasing.”

Down 22-6 at halftime, the Brumbies pulled within nine points early in the second half but then conceded 18 straight points.

The Crusaders scored three tries to two despite losing three players to injury in the first 20 minutes.

Flanker Matt Todd, centre Kieren Fonoktia and his replacement Tom Taylor were the first-quarter casualties.

The injuries seemed to have minimal impact on the Crusaders, who bossed the first half and went to the break with an imposing lead.

Slade kicked five penalties and converted a try to winger Johnny McNichol, who squeezed past or through three defenders just after the halftime siren sounded.

Two penalties to halfback Nic White supplied all the first-half points for the Brumbies, who rarely threatened the Crusaders’ line in the first 40.

Ill discipline apart, the Brumbies missed 12 first-half tackles in an insipid opening display.

The visitors showed more spirit after the break, with hooker Stephen Moore crossing two minutes into the half after good lead-up work over a number of phases.

Christian Lealiifano’s conversion had the visitors back to a 22-13 deficit, but that was as close as the Brumbies were able to get.

Winger Nemani Nadolo and flanker Luke Whitelock crossed for tries, Slade kicked two more penalties and his replacement, Wili Heinz, added a conversion.

The Brumbies created a number of last-quarter opportunities, with centre Pat McCabe – who was one of their few strong performers – scoring a late try, which was converted by five-eighth Matt Toomua.