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The Hurricanes won a thoroughly entertaining match in Wellington on Friday night on the back of a commitment to run the ball and chance their arm from anywhere on the field.
Sure the game was scrappy at times, but any mistakes were more than made up for by the excitement of the running rugby on display.
This style of rugby is something that seems to be differentiating New Zealand at the moment from the other Super Rugby nations.
The 29-28 scoreline reflected what was an absorbing contest throughout, with both teams looking for their first wins of the season.
Continuity was the name of the game with forwards and backs looking to link and create chances through ball retention and the breaking down of opposition defences.
Julian Savea once again proved that he could now be the premier wing in world rugby with another blockbusting performance.
His try down the left hand touchline midway through the second half got his team back in the game and involved a moment reminiscent of Jonah Lomu running over Mike Catt in the 1995 World Cup.
Like the fleet footed Israel Dagg has done to countless opponents, Savea created something out of nothing and gave Dagg a taste of his own medicine.
Though while medicine usually soothes ailments, the dosage served up by Savea on this occasion would have left Dagg’s body battered and ego bruised.
Dagg did, however, score a fine individual try of his own in the second half as did the excellent Dan Carter, but neither score could help the Crusaders in the end.
Hurricanes winger Alapati Leiua grabbed an opportunistic intercept try and Carter then missed a sitter of a drop goal and a chance to win it for the Crusaders at the death.
Serious questions will now be asked of the Crusaders who have lost both their opening games of the 2013 season and whose performances have been blighted by simple mistakes and a lack of the Crusader killer instinct of years gone by.
The Crusaders have started poorly before and gone on to win the title.
This year they could and probably will still make the play offs, but they won’t win the tournament.
In fact, I can’t see the Crusaders winning another tournament in the next decade. They may be the greatest side in Super Rugby history, but it appears that their dynasty is dead.
Yes, their team sheet is still littered with All Blacks and star names, they possess two of the best players in the world at present in Kieran Reid and Dan Carter and they have King Richie due back for the business end of the season.
It’s just that time seems to have passed the Crusaders by. Where other sides seemed to have adapted and changed their style, the Crusaders seem stuck in the past.
They still play the grinding, defence oriented rugby bought in by current Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
The Chiefs title was won on a mixture of defence and scintillating attack.
The Crusaders have spoken about embracing a new style, of playing with pace and width. However questions need to be asked whether they possess the flair and exuberance to execute this new way of the rugby world.
People will argue that any side with McCaw, Reid and Carter all playing together will be hard to beat.
I would argue though that with 2015 fast approaching and none of the holy triumvirate of New Zealand rugby getting any younger, it is hard to see these three world class players lining up together very often.
The World Cup in 2015 will surely bring about the end of McCaw and Carter.
While the Crusaders conveyor belt has seemingly been able to produce an endless supply of talent, these two are irreplaceable.
The Crusaders’ dynasty has been one of the greats in modern rugby but like Roger Federer is discovering, all good things must come to an end.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.