WELLINGTON - One misplaced pass cost the Crusaders as the Hurricanes battled back to steal a 29-28 win in their Super Rugby match last night at Westpac Stadium.
A sharp-looking Dan Carter and an up-tempo second half looked to have secured the win for the Crusaders as they ran in three second-half tries to lead 28-19 with less than 20 minutes remaining.
Down by six and with eight minutes remaining, the Hurricanes roared back as winger Alapati Leiua latched onto a loose Adam Whitelock pass, with the Crusaders hot on attack, and ran away for the match-winning try.
The first half was peppered with too many handling errors and turnovers early on, both sides unable to build phases or establish any sort of consistent pressure.
And while the Hurricanes opened their scoring early through a Beauden Barrett penalty in the seventh minute, it was the Crusaders who scored the only try of the spell through inside centre Ryan Crotty.
Three Barrett penalties in the last six minutes before halftime gave the home team a 12-7 lead at the break.