Flyhalf Daniel Carter, centre, scored the first of the Crusaders' five tries against the Force [AFP]

The Crusaders scored three tries in the last quarter of the match to overturn a 24-12 deficit and remain unbeaten after four rounds at the top of the standings.
 
The Force earned two bonus points for their loss, one for scoring four tries and another for losing by less than seven points, to climb into sixth place, but were left to rue their missed chance against the competition favourites.

"The disappointing thing for us is that we gave them too many opportunities through defensive errors and the Crusaders are masters at capitalising on that," Nathan Sharpe, Western Force captain, said in a television interview.

"There were some pleasing aspects but you've got to win your home games... and you've got to play the full 80 minutes."

"We really had to work hard for that, so we're very relieved," Richie McCaw, Crusaders captain, said.

"We were very flat in the first half... but there is a lot of character in this team and I think we showed that.

"We could have just put it down to an off day but the boys really dug deep."

Force start well, but fade late

The Force made a strong start when teenage flanker David Pocock scored in the 10th minute but the Crusaders quickly hit back with two tries of their own.

Daniel Carter bumped off an attempted tackle from his opposite fly-half Matt Giteau to score untouched, before prop Greg Somerville went over in the corner as the visitors took the lead for the first time.

The Force drew level when rugby league convert Ryan Cross scored a solo try, and then took a 17-12 halftime lead when number eight Richard Brown finished off a long burst to go in just before the break.

The home side extended their lead to 12 points shortly after the restart when inside centre Lachlan Mackay finished off a slick backline move to secure a bonus point, couldn't match it with the Crusaders when the visitors raised their game.

Lock Williams crashed over from a quick tap then scrumhalf Ellis scored off the ensuing kickoff to level the scores at 24-24, and Laulala crossed for the winning try 12 minutes from time on the counter-attack off an errant clearance kick from Giteau.

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