Canes crush Crusaders
It was all one-way traffic from the start with a strong Hurricanes side tearing up the Crusaders' defence.
All Blacks scrumhalf TJ Perenara got the scoring started after an electric break from Nehe Milner-Skudder. Ardie Savea got the second tr soon after to give the Hurricanes a 12-0 lead.
Crusaders wing Johnny McNicholl got his team on the scoreboard, however, it was all Hurricanes after that.
Tries by Cory Jane, Beauden Barrett, Victor Vito helped the Hurricanes go into the break leading 27-7.
Centre Ngani Laumape, who was having a brilliant game, got his team sixth try after the break before Vito got his second of the game to give the home side a commanding lead.
The Hurricanes eventually went on to score another five tries with Crusaders unable to find away through their oppoents defence.
The scorers:
For Hurricanes:
Tries: Perenara, A Savea, Barrett, Vito 2, Laumape, J Savea, Ahki, Thomson, Jane 2, Woodward.
Cons: Barrett 4, Woodward 3
For Crusaders:
Try: McNicholl
Con: Mo'unga
Teams:
The Hurricanes: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, (captain), 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Mark Abbott, 4 Blade Thomson, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Leni Apisai, 1 Reggie Goodes.
Replacements – from: Ricky Riccitelli, Loni Uhila, Chris Eves, Michael Fatialofa, Callum Gibbins, Jamison Gibson-Park, Willis Halaholo, Pita Ahki, James Marshall, Jason Woodward.
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Sean Wainui, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Jimmy Tupou, 5 Samuel Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Mike Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements – from: Ben Funnell , Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Andy Ellis, Ben Volavola, Jone Macilai, Pete Samu, Reed Prinsep.
Referee: Paul Williams
