Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder warned rivals his side can get even better after their 44-28 defeat of the Sharks in an historic and dazzling Super Rugby match at Twickenham.

A crowd of 35,094 helped raise funds for the Christchurch earthquake relief effort and the Crusaders treated them to a scintillating display of running rugby in a first half in which they ran in four tries.

All Blacks five-eighth Dan Carter and league convert Sonny Bill Williams were the inspiration behind the devastating performance that put the New Zealanders 34-18 up at the break.

In the first Super Rugby game played in the northern hemisphere, Carter scored 22 points including a try before limping off in the 62nd minute and Williams showed European fans what they can expect in the World Cup, displaying his full range of offloading and carrying skills.

Carter suffered a lower leg injury but is expected to be fit for the Crusaders' next game against the Bulls in a fortnight.

The Crusaders notched their fourth win of the campaign, quelling a mini-revival from the South Africans in the second half when they came back from 34-10 down to reduce the gap to just nine points with half an hour left.

Blackadder said: "It was a fantastic first half but in the second half it was helter skelter rugby and I was very nervous watching as a coach.

"I know what we are capable of and we can be better than we were in the second half. We need to keep working and get even better."

Carter and Williams pulled the strings with Williams shining in only his fifth game of Super Rugby, even if he was lucky not to be sinbinned for a shuddering, rugby league style, shoulder charge which stunned Sharks No.8 Ryan Kankowski.

Blackadder added: "Carter was world class. Williams has adapted so well to the game - he has got the potential to be anything. He is a threat and I wouldn't want to be anywhere near him defensively."

Sharks coach John Plumtree said: "That Crusaders side are the benchmark for this competition. They are devastating in midfield and if you turn over possession they are brutal."

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