The Crusaders celebrated their first Super Rugby home game in more than a year with a 28-21 win over the Cheetahs at Rugby League Park in Christchurch on Saturday.

In front of a capacity 18,000-strong crowd at the rejuvenated Addington stadium, the Crusaders looked rusty coming off the bye, too often lacking timing and rhythm in the backline.

Even with their scrum nearing its destructive best, the Crusaders struggled to break the advantage line, with the Cheetahs’ defensive line speed smothering any effort to move the ball wide.

Four minutes before the halftime whistle, and with the Cheetahs ahead 6-3 on penalties, the Crusaders finally sparked into life. Zac Guildford made the initial break, then quick hands and great ball skills from centre Robbie Fruean created the space out wide which saw winger Sean Maitland over in the corner.

Ahead 11-3 at the break, the Crusaders were boosted by the long-awaited return of All Black Dan Carter in his first game since injury ended his Rugby World Cup last October.

Carter took over duties at inside centre for Ryan Crotty and the Crusaders lifted, moving the ball wide after building pressure from the restart. Carter slipped the final pass, and Fruean waltzed through for the try.

The Cheetahs responded magnificently, with superb support play in a length-of-the-field movement finished in the corner by Goosen. The same patience and willingness to probe the Crusaders’ defensive line saw Sias Ebersohn drive over in the 75th minute.

Goosen’s boot levelled the scores 21-21 from a 40m penalty with 10 minutes remaining, galvanising the Crusaders into action.

They kept the ball close and pounded the Cheetahs line with an increasing desperation which was finally rewarded in the 76th minute as the ball spun out wide for fullback Israel Dagg to score.