Hamilton - Flyhalf Dan Carter became the highest New Zealand points scorer in Super Rugby as the Crusaders beat the Chiefs 26-19 in a Super 14 match in Hamilton on Friday.

Carter slotted four penalties and two conversions to move to 996 points and past former Crusaders team-mate Andrew Mehrtens (990) into second place on the career points list.

Brumbies centre Stirling Mortlock (1 019) was the first player to move past 1 000 Super rugby points earlier this season. The Brumbies play the Sharks in Canberra on Saturday.

"I had no idea. I guess it's a good milestone and if I get the next opportunity to (break 1 000 points) in the next week or two that will be good," Carter said in a televised interview.

"But I think that's something you look back on at the end of your career."

Crusaders scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali'i scored two first half tries, while Carter added three penalties and converted both tries for the visitors.

Richard Kahui scored a try for the Chiefs and flyhalf Stephen Donald slotted three penalties and a conversion for the home side, who went in to the break trailing 23-16.

The second half began in torrential rain before Carter added his fourth penalty to give the visitors a 10-point lead.

Both sides, who had been keen to throw the ball around at any opportunity before the rain, then tightened up with Donald and Carter kicking for territory and left the forwards to hammer away at each other in a battle of attrition.

Donald added his fourth penalty with seven minutes left, though neither side were able to add to their score as the rain swept back in.