Carter can't save Crusaders

Dan Carter made an impressive appearance in Eketahuna on Saturday, but it was not enough to prevent the Hurricanes from defeating the Crusaders 41-31 in their first pre-season Super Rugby fixture.

The spotlight was always going to fall on Carter in his first match since a disappointing end to 2014, when he failed to hit his straps on the All Blacks' end of year tour to Europe.

The off-season has clearly done the veteran flyhalf a world of good and he struck a confident figure during a half-hour cameo.

After throwing an early hospital pass to centre Kieron Fonotia, Carter quickly found his rhythm as he helped dig his side out of a 12-38 hole at three-quarter time.

With 15 minutes to play, Carter produced a skilful off-load to put centre Robbie Fruean in at the corner, then converted the try from the sideline.

Carter's direction brought the Crusaders' backline to life and they closed the margin to 31-3 with five minutes to play – before a late penalty sealed the win for the Hurricanes – who made a slick start under new coach Chris Boyd.

The game was divided into four quarters.

The Hurricanes, with a strong opening quarter, surged ahead 17-0 and settled victory in that first 20 minutes.

The Hurricanes' first try was scored by blindside flank Brad Shields, who barged over after a series of pick and goes and some nice breaks by fullback Nehe Milner-Scudder and No. 8 Blade Thomson.

Jason Woodward scored the Hurricanes' second try, after slick hands from the backline. Woodward, playing on the left wing, crossed in the right corner, and then prop Ben Franks stormed through from 10 metres out to score popular prop's try.

The Hurricanes extended their lead early in the second quarter when Hawke's Bay lock Geoff Cridge over from close range after a strong surge by second five-eighth Rey Lee-Lo who had a good game returning to Hurricanes colours after a season with the Crusaders.

Then Crusaders captain and flank Matt Todd scored from a pick and drive for the Crusaders, followed by a blistering 80-metre runaway try to Crusaders left wing Johnny McNicholl.

The Hurricanes scored their fifth try just before half-time, with prop Reggie Goodes picking and driving after a solid build-up.

Woodward slotted his third conversion just before half-time, putting the Hurricanes ahead 31-12 at the half-time interval.

As expected, both sides made numerous changes at half-time, including the introduction of Dan Carter for the Crusaders midway through the third quarter.

The game lost its momentum for long periods before Matt Proctor sparked the Hurricanes back into life, charging through the Crusaders midfield off a scrum sprinting 60 metres to cross in the corner.

Woodward landed the conversion to Proctor's try and the Hurricanes led 38-12 with the third quarter break called for.

Carter made a big difference to the Crusaders, with fast, accurate passing and added urgency to the Crusaders' backline that was often pedestrian.

The Crusaders broke through early in the fourth quarter, with Carter flicking a pass on to centre Robbie Fruean to dot down in the corner. Carter slotted the conversion to close the margin to 38-19 with 15 minutes remaining.

Replacement Crusaders back Rob Thompson made a sweeping run up the sideline and linked up with Fruean who raced in to score his second try. Carter pushed a more handy conversion wide and the Hurricanes now led 38-24 with about 10 minutes remaining.

Fullback David Havilli ran through to score another try for the Crusaders, converted by Carter, to make it a 38-31 with a few minutes to play.

The Hurricanes attacked the Crusaders line in the dying minutes.  Awarded a penalty, Otere Black stepped up to the tee from 40 metres out and extended the score to 41-31.

The Crusaders played with vigour to the end, but the Hurricanes held on as some of the 4,000 strong crowd flocked on to the field for autographs.

The Hurricanes play their second pre-season fixture next weekend in Auckland against the Blues, before jumping on the plane for South Africa to open their 2015 Super Rugby campaign against the Lions and the Bulls.

The Crusaders play the Reds at Ballymore, Brisbane, next Friday.

Scorers:

For the Hurricanes:

Tries: Woodward, Shields, Cridge, Franks, Goodes, Proctor

Cons: Woodward 4

Pen: Black

For the Crusaders:

Tries: Todd, McNicholl, Havilli, Fruean 2

Cons: Mo'unga, Carter 2

Teams:

Hurricanes: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Vince Aso, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Jason Woodward, 10 James Marshall, 9 Frae Wilson, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields (captain), 5 Mark Abbott, 4 Geoff Cridge, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Brayden Mitchell, 1 Ben Franks.

Replacements – from: Leni Apisai, Reggie Goodes, Chris Eves, Tolu Fahamokioa, Mike Kainga, Vaea Fifita, Iopu Iopu-Aso, Heiden Bidwell-Curtis, Jamie Booth, Otere Black, Willis Halaholo, Ope Peleseum.

Crusaders: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 James Schrader, 13 Kieran Fonotia, 12 Robbie Fruean, 11 Shayne Anderson, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Jeremy Su'a, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Shane Christie, 6 George Whitelock (captain), 5 Joel Everson, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.

Replacements – from: Paea Fa'anunu, Adrian Barone, Mitch Graham, Ben Funnell, Jimmy Tupou, Matt Simons, Luke Whitelock, Matt Todd, Andy Ellis, Tyrone Elkington, Kolio Hifo, Stephen Burt.

Referees: Glen Jackson & Ben O'Keeffe

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Great day out. Thanks @TuiBeer @Hurricanesrugby pic.twitter.com/cxfr450DBM

— Paul Savage (@PaulSavageNZ) January 31, 2015

This is us for the first preseason hit-out against the Crusaders on Sat! #HURvCRU #TumekeEke http://t.co/0WrvlA9Tuq pic.twitter.com/cRp09Anoxt

— Hurricanes Rugby (@Hurricanesrugby) January 28, 2015