The Crusaders celebrated their return to rugby with an exciting 39-25 win against the Hurricanes at the Sky Stadium in Wellington to close out Round Two. Five tries to two tell the story with penalty points in the first half the only thing keeping the scores close. While the Hurricanes had patches of good play, the Crusaders showed their class by capitalising on opportunities to score when they presented themselves. The game unfortunately again spoilt by the twenty-six penalties and fifty-nine kicks.
It took the Crusader only one minute to celebrate their return to the Investec Super Rugby Aoreato Series with a brilliant try by winger Sevu Reece. The Crusaders scored two tries in the first quarter to lead 12-6. The Hurricanes used the seven penalties conceded by the Crusaders to keep in touch on the score-board.
The Crusaders scored three tries despite the Hurricanes having most of the possession in the second quarter. Errors from both sides made for some hectic play with the Crusaders in the lead with 19-15 at half time. The Crusaders made the most of the opportunities to get to the try line when they emerged, while the Hurricanes started to find holes in the Crusaders' defence in the last ten minutes.
The twelfth penalty conceded by the Crusaders after only four minutes in the second half, lead to a yellow card and another three points for the Hurricanes to make it a one-point game. After some excitement in the first five minutes of the third quarter, the sides opted to kick more while the penalty count crept up to twenty-three. The Crusaders was in the lead with 25-18 with twenty minutes to go.
An early first try by the Hurricanes which made it all even at 25-25, set the game alight. The Crusaders' silky handling and some below standard defence by the Hurricanes lead to another two tries by the Crusaders to win (39-25) their first match of the Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa series.
The Crusaders will have a bye next weekend after two losses in a row while the Crusaders will host the Chiefs on Sunday next week.
Scorers:
Crusaders: Tries: Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Richie Mo'unga, David Havili. Conversion: Richie Mo'unga (4). Penalties: Richie Mo'unga (2).
Hurricanes: Try: Asafu Aumua. Conversion: Jackson Garden-Bachop Penalties: Jackson Garden-Bachop (5). Drop goal: Jackson Garden-Bachop.