Runners-up for the last three years and hunting a first title since 2013, the Chiefs lit an attacking fire at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Friday to set up a title-decider against the table-topping Hurricanes or Blues, who meet in the second semi-final in Wellington on Saturday.
Winger Kyren Taumoefolau had the cowbells ringing early on with two tries in four minutes, and by halftime the Chiefs had run in six, all converted by Damian McKenzie, to take an imposing 42-5 lead.
The Chiefs ran rampant against the team that beat them in two of the last three finals (2023, 2025), with fullback Isaac Hutchinson, hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho, replacement back Leroy Carter and lock Tupou Vaa'i also crossing before the break.
With the home pack in the ascendant and McKenzie pulling the strings from flyhalf, Chiefs centres Quinn Tupaea and Lalakai Foketi punched holes in the Crusaders' defence almost at will.
"It's extremely satisfying," said McKenzie, who was playing his 150th match for the Chiefs.
"I thought just the way we started tonight really put some pressure on the Crusaders team, and we knew we had to do that. They're a quality outfit and we've ended up second best a lot of the time (against them).
"We knew we had to start well and I thought we did an outstanding job there."
The Crusaders managed one first-half try from winger Chay Fihaki but suffered a major blow when they lost totemic flanker-cum-centre Leicester Fainga'anuku to injury.
The shellshocked 13-times champions thought they had another try seven minutes into the second half through No.8 Christian Lio-Willie but it was called back for a knock-on.
It took 22 minutes for Crusaders skipper David Havili to finally force his way over the line for the first score of the second half and Chiefs winger Liam Coombes-Fabling was sent to the sin-bin for an offence at the ensuing kickoff.
Even with the extra man, the Crusaders were unable to break down the home defence and the Chiefs had the last word when replacement scrumhalf Xavier Roe went over for a final converted try a minute from time.
The Chiefs will stay at home for the final if the Blues upset the Hurricanes on Saturday but more likely face a trip down to Wellington next weekend to take on the Hurricanes, the team with the best record in the regular season.
"We've been here before," McKenzie added. "There's another game tomorrow night, so we'll watch with interest, but we've given ourselves a chance, and that's all you can do."
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