Super Rugby leaders Crusaders blew Waratahs away with a clinical first-half display before going on to seal a 29-10 victory at AMI Stadium on Friday.

Crusaders were beaten by Highlanders last week and took their frustration out on Daryl Gibson's side, running in three of their four tries in the first half to lead 22-5 at the break in long-serving scrum-half Andy Ellis' 150th appearance.

Zac Guildford's second-half try against his former club denied Crusaders the bonus point, but Todd Blackadder's men were comfortable winners as Australian Group leaders Waratahs' four-match winning run came to an end.

Waratahs were up against it from the off and trailed when Johnny McNicholl went over in the corner following a break from the recalled Joe Moody just five minutes in.

McNicholl then clutched a kick from Richie Mo'unga and fed Israel Dagg, who touched down with only 10 minutes played, but Rob Horne gave Waratahs hope with a try after 26 minutes.

Waratahs remained second best, though, and Ellis showed his class on his landmark appearance, whipping a fine pass to allow Mo'unga to race over and the fly-half converted his own try to take his tally to 12 points.

Crusaders were on course to claim the bonus point when Mo'unga went under the posts on the hour-mark, but Guildford scored Waratahs' second try to deny his former club before Ellis came off to a standing ovation.