Match Reports

In Super Rugby campaign that is becoming the survival of the fittest, both teams were down on experience but, more importantly, the Hurricanes were down on execution of their lineouts, and they paid the price. Click here to view the highlights.

Back at first five-eighths from the outset for the first time this year Dan Carter called the tune with an accurate kicking display to lead his side around the ground and that allowed wing Nemani Nadolo to cause havoc on the flanks, being a crucial element in two of the four tries the side scored, and scoring one himself.

While their competition points in the bank meant the loss was not injurious, the lineout woes, and the embarrassing mistake by second five-eighths Ma'a Nonu which allowed Nadolo his try, will leave the Hurricanes with plenty to think about in the last two rounds.

The Crusaders looked a team transformed and after absorbing some early attack, they created their own and won reward, initially through Carter's goal-kicking boot to score his 181st point against the Hurricanes, the most by any player against a single team in the competition, and also to post 3500 first-class points.

But the inability of either side to command their lineout throws during the first half inevitably produced the first try of the game. After clearing the ball from a penalty, the lineout was lost by the Hurricanes.

And after the ball was secured by lock Luke Romano it was big centre Robbie Fruean who made the initial thrust. Quick ball saw second five-eighths David Havili get a long pass to Nadolo. He powered his way down the sideline, found Havili in support and then the second five-eighths was able to get the ball to halfback Mitchell Drummond for the try.

As the Hurricanes launched an attack Fruean hit wing Nehe Milner-Skudder in what was ruled a careless tackle and was sin-binned. 

The visitors lost another lineout but gained a scrum feed in the resulting play and after several phases were strung together, orthodox passing through the backline found hooker Dane Coles on the wing. He changed his angle to run back infield and scythed through for the try.

A halftime lead of 16-8 looked to be the basis for a Crusaders dominated run home, but those plans suffered a hiccup in the first 40 seconds of the second half. 

From the re-start, Nonu used a short kick to get the ball out of the 22m area. Centre Conrad Smith secured the ball and off-loaded quickly to flanker Ardie Savea. He linked with Milner-Skudder, who then returned the ball for Savea to run in for a try which got the Hurricanes back within a point.

The Crusaders responded, however, after untidy ball was secured by flanker Matt Todd and he fed wing Nafi Tuitavake in for a try. 

Black closed it up to five points with a penalty goal, but almost immediately the Crusaders replied when Todd made good of another Nadolo break to extend the lead.

Even more success for the Crusaders came after a diabolical mistake by Nonu as he attempted to prevent Nadolo from following up another well-placed Carter tactical kick. But in the process he merely opened up the chance and Nadolo was able to drop on the ball for the easiest of tries.

Final Score Crusaders 35 (16) Hurricanes 18 (8)

Scorers

Crusaders 
Tries - M.Drummond, N. Tuitavake, M.Todd, N.Nadolo
Pen - D.Carter 3
Con - D.Carter 3
Cards -R.Fruean (30th min yellow)

Hurricanes 
Tries - D.Coles, A Savea
Pen - O.Black 2
Con - O.Black

Match Officials
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1:Kane McBride
Assistant Ref 2:Richard Kelly
TMO : Chris Wratt

Teams

Crusaders

1. Alex Hodgman ,2 .Ben Funnell , 3.Owen Franks , 4.Luke Romano , 5.Jimmy Tupou , 6.Matt Todd , 7.Richie McCaw (c) , 8.Jordan Taufua, 9.Mitchell Drummond 10.Dan Carter , 11.Nemani Nadolo , 12. David Havili , 13.Robbie Fruean ,14 .Nafi Tuitavake , 15 , Tom Taylor

Replacements : 16.Codie Taylor ,17.Tim Perry ,18.Nepo Laulala , 19. Dominic Bird, 20 .Luke Whitelock , 21.Andy Ellis , 22.Kieron Fonotia , 23. Jone Macilai

Hurricanes

1. Reggie Goodes, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 5. James Broadhurst, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Blade Thomson, 9.TJ Perenara, 10.Otere Black, 11.Julian Savea, 12.Ma'a Nonu, 13.Conrad Smith, 14.Nehe Milner-Skudder, 15.James Marshall

Replacements :16. Motu Matu'u,17. Ben May,18. Ben Franks,19. Mark Abbott,20. Victor Vito,21. Chris Smylie,22. Rey Lee-Lo,23. Matt Proctor