The defending champion Crusaders rebounded from an early-season loss to extend their Super Rugby winning streak over the Blues to 11 matches with a 25-8 win at Eden Park on Friday.

The Christchurch-based Crusaders lost to the Chiefs in last weekend’s second round and had to quickly regroup to face the Blues who were coming off an away win over the New South Wales Waratahs.

“I think we had a decent review (of the Chiefs loss),” Crusaders captain Scott Barrett said.

“We had a bit of hurt that was bottled up inside us.

“We knew we had to start well and play for the full 80 and I think we did that. You saw at the end there the boys really coming forward and making some good tackles.”

The Crusaders had to come from behind to win after they conceded a seventh minute try to Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu.

But they quickly pulled themselves together and controlled most of the rest of the match, though it was a match strewn from errors from both teams.

After a penalty to David Havili winger George Bridge gave the Crusaders a lead, at 8-3, they didn’t relinquish for the rest of the contest.

A further Havili penalty gave them an 11-5 lead at halftime, which the Blues cut to three points with a penalty just after the restart.

Tries to flyhalf Richie Mo’unga and centre Jack Goodhue in the third quarter took the match out of the reach of the Blues who couldn’t hold onto possession.

On the few occasions the Blues threatened the Crusaders’ line, the defence was up to the challenge.

The Blues have now lost both of their matches against conference opponents this season, continuing a long losing record in matches against New Zealand teams.