The Crusaders have rediscovered their winning touch in emphatic style, overwhelming the Highlanders 17-0 in a drenched Super Rugby quarter-final in Christchurch.

The All Black-laden Crusaders’ pack dominated Saturday’s match which was ruined by relentless rain and a waterlogged AMI Stadium surface.

The seven-time champions regained their winning touch, having opened the season with 14 victories before losing to the British and Irish Lions and the Hurricanes.

Bristling again with power and pragmatism, they have booked a home semi-final against the winners of the quarter-final on Sunday morning (AEST) between the Stormers and Chiefs in Cape Town.

Both of their tries came late in the first half via close-range flops over the line from front-rowers Joe Moody and Codie Taylor, summing up a match bereft of highlights.

For the connoisseur, it was a lesson in clinical forward play from the hosts, whose dominance left the Highlanders scoreless for just the second time in their 297-match history.

It capped a forgettable build-up for the visitors, who landed in Christchurch just eight hours before kickoff. Their Friday flight out of Dunedin was cancelled and there was never any prospect of driving north on the flood-hit roads.

It was also a miserable farewell for All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa, who barely touched the ball in his final match for the Highlanders before departing for French club Toulon.

Coach Tony Brown is also leaving to take up a role with Japan.

The two previous southern derbies this season had been epic affairs, both won late by the Crusaders.

That never looked like being the case from the moment Highlanders flanker Liam Squire was shown a fifth-minute yellow card for a swinging arm tackle on Richie Mo’unga.

Five-eighth Mo’unga recovered to slot the subsequent penalty although he went on to miss three others from virtually right in front, underling the treacherous conditions.

Both tries came on the back of enormous possession and territory counts in favour of the Crusaders – about 80 per cent each – helped by a first-half penalty count of 7-2 in their favour.

Their set-piece was profoundly better than the Highlanders and they won the tactical kicking duel comfortably through halfback Bryn Hall, Mo’unga and winger Israel Dagg.

The scoreless second half must have felt like an eternity for the visitors as they plunged to just their second loss in 12 games.