As the sun set in Christchurch at Apollo Projects Stadium and the extra layers came out, the Crusaders looked to extend their winning streak against Moana Pasifika. 

The visitors had the first say of the match early on, with fan-favourite Ardie Savea forcing his way onto the line with a pick and go. 

A successful conversion gives Moana a 7-point lead.  

Moana Pasifika are penalised shortly after for not rolling at the breakdown which gives the Crusaders a lineout halfway up the 22.  

The home team drove through the defence and Ioane Moananu touches down for the home side’s first points. 

A conversion by James O’Connor draws the score at 7-all.  

Shortly after, Moana centre Danny Toala made a dive for the corner, but his body hit the touchline first and no try is confirmed.  

Cullen Grace is then penalised for taking out Moana halfback Jonathan Taumateine while the ball was still in, and he’s sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes.  

The visitors then capitalise on the Crusaders being down to 14 men and Ardie Savea forces his way over the line for his second try of the game which is converted to make the lead 7 points.  

Crusaders get the advantage as Moana creep offside, which ends up being a penalty successfully converted by James O’Connor. 

25 minutes in and Moana work their way towards the line. They make good territory, and Danny Toala goes over for the try which is converted by Patrick Pellegrini to give the visitors an 11-point lead.  

Pellegrini then backs it up with a try of his own – he receives the ball from Tevita Ofa on the inside and runs right behind the posts and converts his own try to make the halftime score 10-28. 

Moana start the second half with continued momentum – they are awarded a penalty and Pellegrini gives his side a 21-point lead.  

But the birthday boy Macc Springer wasn’t having it – he receives the ball from the midfield, steps inside as he spotted an overlap and goes over the line to draw the deficit back to 16.  

Codie Taylor then continues the momentum for the Crusaders. The ball went loose from the maul, Taylor scooped it up and instead of joining the maul, he finds a gap and launches over the line. O’Connor makes the kick and brings the score to 22-31. 

As the Crusaders started to get themselves back in the game, Moana found another gear and scored two quick tries to draw their lead out to 23. 

Mitchell Drummond scored a try in the 75th minute, but it was too little too late for the red and black, who were dished a defeat at the hands of Moana Pasifika at home. 

Final Score: Crusaders 29 Moana Pasifika 45