Hurricanes cement top of Super Rugby Pacific after 38-31 win over the Crusaders

The Hurricanes solidified their spot on top of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific ladder with a 38-31 win over the Crusaders last night.

The win saw them leap ahead of the Chiefs, currently on a bye, while denting the defending champions’ home final hopes.

The focus heading in was on the battle of the openside flankers, with Leicester Fainga’anuku and Du’Plessis Kirifi dominating early.

Fainga’anuku struck first for the Crusaders from close range, crashing over the line after eight minutes.

Kirifi almost hit straight back with a 50-22; however, he found himself on the scoreboard shortly afterwards to level the scores.

Kirifi then gave the Crusaders a chance to level the scores at 10-all after he was pinged for not rolling away.

As the half came to an end, the Hurricanes took control, scoring twice in a three-minute period.

It started with Billy Proctor and Peter Lakai combining to put Josh Moorby over, with Brayden Iose’s chip for Cam Roigard delivering a 24-10 lead at half-time.

Both teams traded tries to start the second half, with Noah Hotham’s dart answered by replacement Hurricanes hooker Raymond Tuputupu for an instant response.

The impact of Rivez Reihana was massive off the bench, striking with 20 minutes to go to bring it back to a converted try.

Fehi Fineanganofo restored the Hurricanes’ advantage with his 15th try of the year, one short of the all-time single-season record held by Ben Lam and Joe Roff.

But the Crusaders never gave up, with Dom Gardiner crashing over under the posts with three minutes to go, setting up a tense finish.

Macca Springer nearly sent the game into extra time with a break inside the Hurricanes’ half, only for the offload to find the hands of the hosts.

With the siren sounding, David Havili’s bold cross-field kick on halfway ended their hopes as the Hurricanes went top of the ladder.

In another match, the Force edged the Waratahs 20-17.

Today, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will host the Highlanders at 4pm, Moana Pasifika will meet the Blues at 7.05pm, and the Reds will take on the Brumbies at 9.35pm.

Source: Super Rugby