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.
Vasu Pillay
Guest
I am a die hard crusader. They have always been the bench mark in the competition and lets face fact, since the departure of Robbie Deans, there is a void no one at the present moment can fill. No disrespect to Todd, but I feel he is out of is elements. 5 seasons on 4 semi finals and 1 finals says a lot for a team that was most feared. The current set of players lack the true value of what a Crusader team is all about. They are not consistent and furthermore over the last few years they fail to top the log. Something needs to go this season. Its like a yo - yo. one week up the next week down. The coach and team needs to accept collective responsibility. We need to take our hats off to Dave Rennie. He has done and immaculate job at the chiiefs. I think failure, this year must result in a major overhaul because presently nothing seems to be working.
Gobi
Guest
Sorry but I think the Highlanders are in far deeper trouble than the Crusaders, esp with recent injuries. They don't seem to have a clue.
Zac
Guest
Hey BB it's true whatever has happened has but dude at least the Crusaders have been consistent with the play-offs since 08. 2013 Crusaders will be champions #8
Gavin Fernie
Roar Pro
As a long term Crusaders and All Black fan for the best possible rugby reason; namely that in the last decade most of the winning and high quality 15 man rugby has come from the Crusaders in the Super Competition, and from the All Blacks in international rugby, it is interesting to scroll through the NZ and Australian comments on this website following Cam Avery's excellent and provocative post. No dominant team or squad or rugby dynasty lasts forever. It would be bloody boring if that were the case. The resurgence of the Chiefs last year in the NZ Conference, and the dramatic rise to the top of the Reds in the previous year, injected fresh excitement into a competition which has been overloaded with teams,games, TV ballyhoo, and the continuation of squabbles over the Laws, refereeing decisions, which almost transcended the basic fact. It is only a game;not war between nations. In South Africa, the general obsession inculcated in the fervent supporters of the top franchise outfits, is 'Win at all costs'. It does not matter if the wins are all based on a kicking and rumbling style of play. Or is it? Suddenly this year the Bulls have added to their previously limited arsenal. The Cheetahs,at least on the evidence of last Saturday's game in Invercargill, are capable of defending as well as attack. It certainl blitzed the Highlanders. As always,much is owed to the forwards, a good scrumhalf, a brilliant flyhalf on the day, and tigerish defence. The jury is still out on the Stormers. Even when their pack upped the ante, and the loose forwards played superbly, the backline still shovelled the ball down the line, instead of going hard and STRAIGHT for the opposition, trying to draw the opposite man, and than quickly passing to the support, if no gap appeared. The Kiwis argue about the merits of a clump of teriffic wings, primarily about their ability to score tries and be good finishers. Here, in South Africa, for too many years our top wings catch a nap waiting for quick ball from set moves. Most of their tries in international rugby have been opportunistic tries, and far too few tries have been scored by our wings. Our centres have been coached and drilled to bash up tocreate the next phase for another, and another, bash up the field. Sofar this year, this is not so in all cases; such as in the case of the Bulls and Cheetahs. Let us hope this is carried on into our national squad. I have grave doubts though. Meyer is hardly likely to adapt, or move progressively away from his dogmatic style. Such a great pity when we have young backs who could emulate the feats of the Kiwi backline players, given time to develop to their full potential. The once flair orientated Australian backline style is dormant at the moment. Here is hoping they too can combine solid forward play with good defence and FLAIR.
BBA
Guest
Agree. Ardie is like a newMichael Jones It is absolutely fair to say that he is athletically superior to McCaw. However McCaw is not the legend that he is for his athleticism, McCaw is tough both physically and mentally (he can and does take a beating), he has that desire to succeed and he is smart. If A Savea can demonstrate any McCaw like abilities in those areas then AB fans will be truly blessed. Heres hoping, but its a lot of pressure to bear.
mania
Guest
i agree winston. ardies got a very similar work ethic to mccaw but a bit more athletic. impressive stuff.
winston
Roar Rookie
Yeah I'm really looking forward to seeing what this guy can do. From all accounts he's going take McCaw's jersey once he's done with it.
mania
Guest
haha, conrad. too late he's already an AllBlack. wait till ui see his little brother Ardie Savea play. he's currently suspended
Conrad Adamsas
Guest
Julian Savea will be the next all black winger for sure. That guy is a machine. Happy if you want to throw him Australia's way!!
mania
Guest
saders are still a force. they just need an extra 1-2% improvement ion their attack.
mania
Guest
biltongbek - agree. canes won this but shouldnt have. saders played the better team game but individual performances won this for canes
Jerry
Guest
It's not a new law, it's just that refs are concentrating more on players off their feet around the ruck/tackle who get in the way of the halfback trying to clear the ball. Phil Kearns etc being exceptionally 'witty' have coined the phrase "McCaw's Law" which of course like any of "Dad's Jokes" apparently gets funnier the more it is repeated.
atlas
Guest
Diifficult to criticise him for not scoring against Australia when he has never played against them! He played a full 80 in his one test v SA, still lots to come from this player.
Jerry
Guest
Oh, let's just put these goalposts over here, shall we?
Jiggles
Roar Guru
The chiefs are much better than the highlanders. I see the stromers got up over night in a high scoring affair, 3 tries to 4. Geez when the Stormers can score 3 tries against you, you have to be scratching your head a bit. Can't wait to sit down and watch that one.
Jerry
Guest
And it turns out you're a tool that's WRONG.
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, the Cheetahs defence completely shut out the Highlanders, not like when they played the Chiefs with their porous defensive line. I mean the Chiefs just leaked tries left right and centre. Oh wait, the Highlanders scored the same amount of tries in both games. But the Cheetahs defence was behind all those missed kicks.
Jerry
Guest
God you're a tool.
Onor
Guest
maybe it is over for crusaders!! the rugby brains are in the north island!! nothing against blackader though!
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
No SA or Australia on that list, the number 2 and 3 teams in the world.