Match Reports

The Crusaders will play the Sharks in an Investec Super Rugby Qualifier in Nelson on Saturday after overcoming the Hurricanes 16-9 in Wellington.

It was a tight match in difficult, rainy, conditions and the Crusaders had to dig deep to come up with a win over a Hurricanes team playing on emotion and farewelling several veterans including Andrew Hore and Ma’a Nonu.

Robbie Fruean, the former Hurricane, scored the only try of the match, chiming nicely with Zac Guildford, another former Cane, to score a very good try in the corner in the second half.

Dan Carter converted brilliantly from wide on the left to push the Crusaders out to a 16-6 lead after swapping two penalties in the first half with Aaron Cruden.

Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis completed the scoring with an amazing drop goal from 46 metres out to push the margin out to seven points.

The Hurricanes threw everything at the Crusaders in the final minutes and the Red and Blacks did well to repel them.

It was an important victory for the Crusaders, who topped the New Zealand conference as a result.

They now turn their attentions to the Sharks at Trafalgar Park on Saturday night. The winner will progress to the semi-finals. It’s the re-match of the now famous match at Twickenham between the two sides.

That match was a thriller and this one should be a beauty too.

Hurricanes – Pens: Aaron Cruden 3

Crusaders – Try: Robbie Fruean. Con: Dan Carter. Pens: Carter 2. DG: Andy Ellis

Crusaders
1. Ben Franks (Wyatt Crockett 44min)
2. Corey Flynn (Quentin MacDonald 72)
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. Sam Whitelock (Luke Romano 62)
6. George Whitelock
7. Matt Todd
8. Kieran Read
9. Andy Ellis
10. Dan Carter
11. Zac Guildford
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Brent Ward
15. Tom Marshall

Reserves not used
19. Jonathan Poff
20. Willi Heinz
21. Matt Berquist
22. Tu Umaga-Marshall