[VIDEO] Crusaders vs Hurricanes highlights: Super Rugby scores, blog

Match result:

FULLTIME – CRUSADERS 35 HURRICANES 18

In a match played at a high intensity throughout, the Crusaders have turned it on in easily their best performance this season with a bonus point victory over the high flying Hurricanes in nelson this evening.

The Hurricanes started the match well but let a number of early chances go begging with a number of errors while the Crusaders went about their work in defence with an enthusiasm rarely seen this season.

With Carter and Drummond applying plenty of pressure through an accurate kicking game, the Hurricanes tried to play too much with ball in hand from their own territory and along with a woeful lineout performance tonight, the Crusaders finally cracked the Hurricanes defence with a try to Drummond to take an early 16 points to 3 lead late in the first half.

The Hurricanes did hit back, a try to Coles seeing the teams head into halftime at 16 points to 8 and then a breakout try just after halftime to Ardie Savea had the Hurricanes back to within one of the Crusaders.

However, The Crusaders were not to be denied this evening and the Hurricanes continued to make errors and poor choices which the Crusaders happily pounced on and ran away with the match, scoring another three trys to win the match comfortably in the finish and hand the Hurricanes their second defeat of the season and most importantly, keep their playoff aspirations alive.

For the Crusaders, there were a number of strong performances but none more so than Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, the experienced duo showing their class tonight in quality matches for their team.

The Hurricanes lacked the inetnsity and urgency which has marked their season thus far and they will be extremely dissapointed with tonights showing, Still comfortably out in front on the table, there is no reason to panic however there will be some grumpy coaches at training this week. Ardie Savea was strong this evening and threw himself around the park while James Broadhurst was again strong with ball in hand.

Match preview:

The opening match of Round 16 of Super Rugby sees the Crusaders host the Hurricanes from Trafalgar Park in Nelson. Join The Roar for all the action from 5:35pm (AEST).

The Crusaders must win to keep their faint playoff hopes alive, while the Hurricanes will be eyeing an opportunity to cement top spot in both the New Zealand conference and overall points table, guaranteeing not only home ground advantage but also a week off come playoffs.

The Crusaders will be without captain Keiran Read, lock Sam Whitelock and centre Ryan Crotty (all concussion), while Colin Slade is also unavailable with a thigh injury.

With Israel Dagg and Joe Moody already on the sidelines and Wyatt Crockett sitting out tonight due to All Black rotation, the task has become a lot tougher for the Crusaders.

Of some relief will be the return of Robbie Fruean. The blockbusting centre will add some much needed penetration to the Crusaders’ midfield and will look to gel quickly with David Havili at inside centre. Their performance will be key tonight up against the tried and tested Hurricanes combination of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith.

In the pack, Jimmy Tupou has gained a rare start with Whitelocks’ absence and Alex Hodgman is also provided an opportunity as starting loosehead prop. Richie McCaw will captain the side in Read’s absence.

In stark contrast, the Hurricanes have a relatively full roster, with only Beauden Barrett unavailable due to injury, while Ben Franks has been allowed another week to rest his troublesome Achilles, giving the promising Otere Black another opportunity after a solid debut against the Blues last weekend.

The Crusaders will need their big guns to step up – and there are none bigger than Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. Many questions have been asked over their form and age and what better way to answer those questions than with a dominant display this evening. Their direct performances against two of the game’s more promising talents in Ardie Savea and Black will be worth keeping an eye on.

Can the Crusaders keep their 2015 season alive or will the Hurricanes continue their relentless march towards the playoffs? Join me as we find out here live on The Roar.

Tip – Hurricanes