Wes Goosen scored two tries to help the Hurricanes to a 34-32 win over the Crusaders, ending the home side’s four-year unbeaten streak in Christchurch and breathing life into the final few weeks of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Fullback Jordie Barrett added 19 points with the boot as the Hurricanes moved into second place on the table with 16 points, three behind the Crusaders, who also suffered their first loss of the domestic competition.
Crusaders flyhalf Richie Mo’unga was instrumental in keeping his side in the hunt with flashes of individual brilliance, but he missed a sideline conversion of Sevu Reece’s try with three minutes remaining that would have locked the scores up.
The Hurricanes had won their three previous matches in Super Rugby Aotearoa and used a video presentation of their 2016 victory – the most recent loss the Crusaders had suffered in Christchurch – as motivation. It worked.
“We’ve obviously lost a lot of games down here so to come down here and get the win was very special,” Hurricanes captain T.J. Perenara said.
“We keep our chances in the competition alive.
“I wouldn’t say we’re relieved. We back ourselves every time we go out on the field and relief’s a word for teams that don’t think they can win.”
In a match fought out at high intensity, both sides played controlled and aggressive rugby and the score swung back and forth as the teams seized on their few opportunities to break through.
Mo’unga and George Bridge scored tries in the first half for the home side, while Goosen crossed twice and Barrett gave the Hurricanes a 21-17 halftime lead with his third penalty.
The Crusaders upped the intensity in the second half and had the visitors under constant pressure but were only able to add to their score when Mo’unga slotted his second penalty.
The Hurricanes advanced to a 31-20 lead when Barrett added his fourth penalty before Peter Umaga-Jensen crossed.
Mo’unga then took control of the game to set up an attacking scrum that led to lock Quinten Strange’s try before the flyhalf ghosted through a gap and provided a massive pass to Reece to cross in the corner with three minutes remaining.