Hurricanes vs Crusaders

Live updates: The Hurricanes take on old rivals the Crusaders in a crucial match for both sides at Wellington Regional Stadium at 4.30pm.

Meanwhile, since their last win against the Highlanders, the Hurricanes have suffered consecutive defeats, giving Moana Pacifica their first Super Rugby.

That's now the third knock down from the Canes. Savea being issued an official warning now over that. 58'. Lineout set up just over the 10. Over the top and ...

Live Updates: At 4.30 PM Wellington Regional Stadium takes old rivals Crusaders by storm in a crucial match for both sides.

The Canes have a very short turnaround as they take on Moana Pasifika on Tuesday evening, while the Crusaders are back at home next weekend against the ...

Canes skipper was not happy at the finish as his team slipped to their fourth Super Rugby Pacific defeat of the season.

The Hurricanes visit the Highlanders on Saturday hoping for a change in fortune. The Canes had just extended their lead to 21-17, and the All Blacks loosie featured twice in a surging move that ended with him powering over between a pair of tacklers. But the Hurricanes were not to be denied, and punished the Crusaders repeatedly for poor exits after they had scored. They fell off a few too many tackles for their liking and some of their passing was below their best in terms of accuracy. They played well enough to grab the victory, and it was likely the Crusaders used some sneaky tactics at the death to shut down that final play. A successful shot would have sent the game to golden point, but the home side went for the victory, and were denied when the Crusaders wrapped up the ball at lineout time.

The Crusaders have survived a barrage of pressure from the Hurricanes to clinch a dramatic 24-21 victory at Sky Stadium in Wellington.

Referee Brendon Pickerill subsequently brought the match to a close, with Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett both expressing their dismay at the officials’, with the former claiming that he was dragged down at the set piece by Scott Barrett. Scott Robertson’s bravely chose to compete at the lineout while only five metres from their own tryline, and it proved to be a masterstroke decision as they disrupted and killed the Hurricanes’ ball, making it unplayable for the hosts. A crescendo was reached when the Hurricanes had the chance to take a penalty shot at goal two minutes past the full-time siren in an act that would have sent the match into extra-time. That set up a grand stand finish as both teams threw the kitchen sink at each other in a bid to close out the match, with both sets of players opting to run from deep and take on defenders at will. That kick was one of two 50/22s executed by the Hurricanes, the other achieved by Barrett, but none of that yielded points on the scoreboard. Chief among those discussions will be the controversial ending to the enthralling contest, with the Hurricanes turning down a shot at goal to take the match to extra-time, only to have their try-scoring opportunity squandered by a Scott Barrett lineout steal.

The Hurricanes had a chance to send the match to golden point with a penalty but instead gambled and went for the win.

The Crusaders didn't rest on their laurels though, with Richie Mo'unga floating a beauty of a skip pass to George Bridge five minutes later to put the red and black back in front once more with five minutes left in the half. The back and forth action started with Jordie Barrett putting the Hurricanes ahead in the opening minutes with a penalty only for the Crusaders to respond soon after through Will Jordan in the right corner. The Crusaders have held in a physical, action-packed clash with the Hurricanes in Wellingotn to emerge victorious 24-21 after the hosts turned down the chance to send the game to golden point.

The Hurricanes have been narrowly beaten by old rivals the Crusaders in a crucial match for both sides at Wellington Regional Stadium.

The Canes have a very short turnaround as they take on Moana Pasifika on Tuesday evening, while the Crusaders are back at home next weekend against the ...

Ardie Savea wants the referees to raise their game, after a controversial finish to the Hurricanes' 24-21 loss to the Crusaders on Saturday night.

A huge charge from Ardie Savea set them at the base of the posts, before Booth moved the ball to Jackson Garden-Bachop, who summed up the situation well, finding Josh Moorby on the wing. They had the numbers, and Strange made sure they got the points. A penalty allowed them to kick to corner, and they took a short lineout and quick throw, before moving it immediately. For the most part, it was the Hurricanes who were standing out. The ensuing lineout throw was contested by Crusaders captain Scott Barrett, who did not win the throw and appeared to tackle Savea in the air, before subsequently preventing the ball from being distributed at the ruck, which ultimately brought an end to the game. But the backup brigade did a superb job in their place, with Jamie Booth making a number of big plays at halfback and providing good service from the ruck, while James O'Reilly was strong at set pieces and made some damaging runs.

Here's how the Hurricanes rated in their dramatic 24-21 Super Rugby Pacific defeat to the Crusaders at Sky Stadium in Wellington.

He also took a leaf out of Barrett’s book by putting it on the toe for a 50/22. A lively performance in only his second match at the Super level. A solid defensive effort from the midfielder, but not so much on attack. Had a hand in everything for his team this afternoon. Second time’s the charm for Barrett with 12 on his back. Off for Flanders 10 minutes into the second half. One of the more reliable Hurricanes in recent seasons. Even with the likes of Will Jordan and Richie Mo’unga sharing the stage he was the best on the grass for the full 80. Made himself known with his actions and voice. A promising first knock for the Feilding High School product. Steadied his side in the set piece and found ways to move traffic with and without the pill. Managed a dozen tackles and did his job at scrum time.