Hurricanes hold off Crusaders
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The Hurricanes have held off the Crusaders, who came back from a poor first half to just fall short of the home team by seven points, finishing 16-9.
Blade Thompson scored the only tries in the cliffhanger match, with the Hurricanes' second win of the season over the Crusaders keeping alive their hopes of making the play-offs.
The Crusaders continue to lead the New Zealand conference, equal with the Highlanders on 42 points but with a shade better differential, while the Hurricanes are one point behind on 41.
Thompson's second try was the game breaker, coming from turnover ball with seven minutes remaining in the match and with the Crusaders attacking strongly when trailing 9-11.
The big lock was first through on a Cory Jane chip kick and ran nearly 60 metres to score.
Not even the injection of Kieran Read and Dan Carter into the Crusaders in the second half was able to break the Hurricanes who appeared to be hurt least by rustiness from the June Test break.
Their kicking game pressured the Crusaders who were indecisive under the high ball, while the Crusaders return kicks too often sailed towards dangerman Julian Savea without finding touch.
The first Hurricanes try came from Savea latching on to a Crusaders' kick, chasing his own return kick to catch Tom Taylor with the ball and with the turnover Thompson scored out wide.
Beauden Barrett landed two penalties to one by Colin Slade for the Hurricanes to lead 11-3 at the break.
Two further Slade penalties after the break, the second just before he left the field for a concussion test which he failed, narrowed the gap to 11-9 before Thompson sealed the game for the Hurricanes.
Although the Hurricanes remain in the top six, they are disadvantaged with a bye in the final week and their one game left is away to the Chiefs next Friday.
The Crusaders have two games remaining, both at home, to the Blues and then the Highlanders.
Man of the Match: Blade Thompson scored two tries, his second one was something special and something you hardly ever see a lock do! Willi Heinz did well when he came off the bench to inject some energy. Matt Todd looked to make up for his early card by putting in a workman like effort. However, in the end, it was the flair and vision of Beauden Barrett that really impressed and as such, he gets the award.
Scorers:
For Hurricanes
Tries: Thompson 2
Pens: Barrett 2
For Crusaders
Pen: Slade 3
Yellow Card: Matt Todd (Crusaders, 7 – cynical play)
Hurricanes: 15 Matt Proctor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Alapati Leiua, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Blade Thomson, 4 Jeremy Thrush (captain), 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu’u/Reggie Goodes, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Reggie Goodes/Brendon Edmonds, 19 James Broadhurst, 20 Jack Lam, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Hadleigh Parkes, 23 James Marshall.
Crusaders: 15 Tom Taylor, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty (captain), 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Owen Franks, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Kieran Read, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Dan Carter, 23 Rob Thompson.
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)
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