Dan Carter became the second-highest points scorer in Super rugby, kicking 16 points as the Canterbury Crusaders beat the Waikato Chiefs 26-19 on Friday.

With the fifth of his six successful kicks at goal, Carter surpassed former Crusaders flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens' mark of 990 points.

By the end of the game, Carter had taken his tally in 74 Super matches to 996 points, closing on Australian Stirling Mortlock's record of 1,005.

Halfback Kahn Fotuali'i scored two tries for the crusaders, who improved to 4-1 at the start of the tournament's fifth round while Waikato, unbeaten through the first three rounds, dropped to 3-2.

The first half was frantically paced, a succession of attacks and counter attacks after which the Crusaders led 23-16, but the second half produced only a further penalty to each team.

"It's never easy up here," Canterbury and All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said.

"It felt like there was a fair bit of running involved and I'm proud of the way we stuck at it."

The match began with a rapid exchange of penalties between Carter and Stephen Donald. Donald landed penalties in the first and third minutes to give the Chiefs an early 6-0 lead and Carter replied with the first of his goals in the fifth minute to trim the lead to 6-3.

Fotuali'i's first try after eight minutes gave Canterbury a 10-6 advantage that wasn't relinquished.

Centre Richard Kahui kept Waikato in the match with a try in the 33rd minute after strong leadup work by No.8 Colin Burke and Donald.

The second half became more physical and more tactical, dominated by the Crusaders pack and its territorial kicking. Carter finished with six goals from eight attempts and Donald with five from six for 14 points.

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