Crusaders snatch 'golden' win over Hurricanes
MATCH REPORT: For the second Super Rugby Aotearoa match on the trot, a golden point was needed to separate the two sides.
*To recap all the drama CLICK HERE!
The Crusaders, having trailed the Hurricanes since halftime, tied up the match in the 64th minute with a try from Sevu Reece but the remainder of regulation time passed without any further points being recorded.
At 27-all, both sides had the opportunity to snatch a victory.
Jordie Barrett went for an audacious 64-metre penalty attempt and then Richie Mo’unga tried for a long-distance drop goal – but neither kick sailed true.
Extra time beckoned – but it lasted just over a minute.
From the restart – which the Hurricanes inexplicably handed to the Crusaders as well as opting to play into the wind – the Crusaders charged down a clearance from Hurricanes reserve halfback Cam Roigard then pounced on the ball.
David Havili dropped into the pocket and his attempt on goal flew between the posts, handing the Hurricanes a heart-wrenching defeat.
The Hurricanes were handed an early chance to grab the lead after earning a penalty 50 meters out and while Jordie Barrett managed to put enough power on his kick, it drifted wide of the left hand upright.
However, Barrett made amends for that miss just a few minutes later, slotting over after Codie Taylor was penalised for failing to release the ball.
The Crusaders were quick to post a response, however, as they charged down the restart kick and pushed at the 5, with George Bridge eventually awarded the try after a check from the TMO. Richie Mo’unga stepped up to take the conversion from the touchline out on the left and made no mistake, adding to the two extras.
The Crusaders got themselves in the perfect position to score a try a short while later after earning a penalty at the breakdown five metres out but after taking a quick tap, they lost possession of the ball as Ardie Savea won it back for the Canes.
And, after toiling near the halfway line without making gains, the Crusaders would eventually stretch further ahead in the 24th minute, Bridge bagging his second try of the game after latching onto Taylor’s searching kick upfield. Mo’unga secured the extras to give his side an 11-point cushion just past the midway point.
The Canes responded in the best possible manner, however, as Coles handed it off to Ngani Laumape, who showed his raw pace and power as he barged over to score. Barrett added the extras from close range, reducing the deficit to just four points.
But the Crusaders were quick to hit back, Mo’unga slotting the penalty over from close range after Laumape was penalised for no release.
It was turning into a real see-saw battle as Julian Savea put the Canes back within touching distance on the half-hour mark, snatching up the offload from James Blackwell on the left wing before taking it all the way to score. Barrett secured the extras to make it 17-17 with around ten minutes left in the half.
There was a close shave for the Crusaders on the stroke of half-time as Savea very nearly got over the line but the defence managed to stand firm and hold him up. To add insult to injury, the Hurricanes subsequently saw Laumape yellow-carded for taking Barrett out of the breakdown in the build-up.
However, the Hurricanes came flying out of the starting blocks after the break, adding another try after just three minutes of play. Savea broke down the blindside before offloading to Barrett, who sent Wes Goosen clear to score, with Barrett securing the extras to make it 24-17.
After a brief lull in play, Mo’unga converted another penalty on 57 minutes to reduce the deficit to four points, only for Barrett to restore the Hurricanes’ seven-point lead with a penalty of his own.
The Crusaders redoubled their efforts and were rewarded in the 64th minute as Sevu Reece rounded off a great passage of play to grab a try, with Mo’unga securing the two extras to make it 27 apiece and set up a tense finish.
But with neither side able to find the all-important breakthrough in the remaining minutes the match would go to golden point extra time.
It took just two minutes for the Crusaders to hit the finishing blow, David Havili running into a gap before converting a dropkick to end the game in dramatic fashion.
Man of the match: The match was very evenly poised and certainly entertaining. For the Hurricanes Jordie Barrett and Ngani Laumape were impressive. While George Bridge was the standout performer for his team. However, our nod goes to Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea, who was a beast. The loose forward was all over the place, working hard at the breakdown, solid defence and breaking tackles.
The scorers:
For Hurricanes:
Tries: Laumape, Savea, Goosen
Cons: Barrett 3
Pens: Barrett 2
For Crusaders:
Tries: Bridge 2, Reece
Cons: Mo’unga 3
Pens: Mo’unga 2
Drop Goal: Havili
Yellow card: Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes, 40 – dangerous shoulder charge)
Teams:
Hurricanes: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Wes Goosen, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Luke Campbell, 8 Devan Flanders, 7 Ardie Savea (captain), 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 Scott Scrafton, 20 Vaea Fifita, 21 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 22 Jonathan Taumateine, 23 Billy Proctor.
Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 David Havili, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Cullen Grace, 7 Sione Havili Talitui, 6 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Oliver Jager, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 George Bower, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Mitchell Dunshea, 20 Tom Sanders, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Dallas McLeod, 23 Leicester Fainga’anuku.
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser, Brendon Pickerill
TMO: Glenn Newman
