Ethan Blackadder. Photo: Photosport
The Crusaders have pulled off a big win at Sky Stadium, beating the Hurricanes 31-24 in a tense battle that temporarily puts them at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table.
The game seemed done and dusted with half an hour to go when Crusaders hooker Ioane Moananu, who had another outstanding game, scored his second try. However, two late yellow cards to Ethan Blackadder and Antonio Shalfoon handed the momentum back to the home side, who scored through Peter Lakai and Peter Umaga-Jensen to close the gap to seven points.
The Hurricanes were handed another invitation into the Crusaders' 22 as the hooter went off, however another desperate bit of defence on their line prevented the game going into golden point extra time.
Earlier, under-fire All Black captain Scott Barrett sent a message to his critics with a very good display in the first half that included setting up Ioane's first try with a nice linebreak and perfectly timed pass. James O'Connor had to come on as an HIA replacement for Taha Kemara and scored with his first touch of the ball after a fortuitous bounce saw him in an acre of space to score under the posts.
Umaga-Jensen scored two tries in his 50th Super Rugby match, however his team will be feeling like this really was one that got away. Despite having a two-man advantage for 10 minutes, the Hurricanes' option-taking was poor and while the Crusaders' defence was heroic, it was made easier than it should've been.
The Crusaders will now be full of confidence after two good wins in a row as they head home to face the Blues next weekend. The Hurricanes are now almost in must-win territory and face a trip to Perth to play the Force.
Read how the game unfolded with RNZ's live blog:
Team lists
Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brayden Iose, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Riley Hohepa, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13. Bailyn Sullivan, 14. Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Ruben Love
Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Will Tucker, 20. Brad Shields, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Callum Harkin, 23. Fatafehi Fineanganofo
Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Ioane Moananu, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Cullen Grace, 7. Ethan Blackadder, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili (c), 13. Levi Aumua, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Matt Moulds, 17. George Bower, 18. Kershawl Skyes-Martin, 19. Antonio Shalfoon, 20. Tom Christie, 21. Mitch Drummond, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Macca Springer
