How about that golden point? Less than 24 hours after the Chiefs sank the Highlanders, the Crusaders broke Hurricanes’ hearts on Sunday afternoon at Sky Stadium.
A David Havili drop goal one minute into extra-time clinched a 30-27 win for the frontrunners and title favourites, leaving a brave, spirited Hurricanes shattered.
In an epic, absorbing clash in the sun, Mitchell Dunshea’s chargedown of Cam Roigard’s attempted kick set up victory for the visitors, who came off a chastening loss to the Highlanders to notch their fifth victory of the season.
It came at a cost, with All Blacks Jack Goodhue and Joe Moody limping off with what looked serious injuries, particularly the former whose left knee was in awful shape.
It came at a cost, with All Blacks Jack Goodhue and Joe Moody limping off with what looked serious injuries, particularly the former whose left knee was in awful shape.
Jordie Barrett missed a 62m penalty attempt with seven minutes left, for the win. Hooker Dane Coles, Barrett and Peter Umaga-Jensen weren’t far behind their skipper, while Ngani Laumape earned a crucial yellow card on halftime but did his best to lift them late. Coach Jason Holland’s men now head to the bye with a 1-5 record, having done enough to win but just not in the habit this year.
The Crusaders were well off their best but showed their champion qualities, led by Sam Whitelock and Codie Taylor while Richie Mo’unga again made the big plays.
Referee Paul Williams whistled 25 penalties, many of them at the breakdown, with the Hurricanes benefiting with 14.
Before their best home crowd of the season it looked ominous for the Canes as their red-clad visitors shot out to 14-3 after 25 minutes.
Jordie Barrett was trying to take on the Crusaders himself from the back with mixed success, and a chargedown gifted George Bridge his first try, despite Devan Flanders so nearly holding him up.
Bridge’s second was classic Crusaders, from a scrum as Richie Mo’unga jinked in space, Taylor fired out a pinpoint but marginal pass and Will Jordan put his left wing over.
Still there were alarm bells for the visitors as Goodhue was assisted off with what looked a serious left knee injury, when he attempted to tackle a rampaging Umaga-Jensen in the 20th minute.
Then Moody, in his 100th Super Rugby match, stayed down with what looked an ankle problem and cut a forlorn sight as he limped to the dressing room with boot and sock removed.
The Hurricanes, meanwhile, were jolted into action. New first five-eighth Ruben Love added some spark and their big game players stepped up.
Coles was everywhere, causing havoc at the breakdown and heavily involved with the ball, too, as they attacked and Laumape barged over for their first try in the 28th minute.
Then Julian Savea, who’d made a poor start, latched onto James Blackwell who somehow snaffled a kick-off from Scott Barrett and the man they call ‘The Bus’ stormed across for his first try since his return from France, and 51st of his career.
At 17-17 the Hurricanes had their tails up and Savea crossed again but was held up on the stroke of halftime. Then television match official Glenn Newman got involved and the evidence was damning for Laumape, whose strike on Scott Barrett could have earned him red, but instead yellow.
With 14 men, the Hurricanes scored again as Barrett produced a one-handed offload and Wes Goosen jinked his way over for their first lead.
Ardie Savea looked gone in the same movement but with metres of strapping tape applied to his left knee he hobbled onwards, still producing some big moments and forcing vital turnovers on one leg.
But of course, the Crusaders inched their way back, despite some poor errors and their scrum surprisingly being put under pressure by their hosts.
Mo’unga’s radar boot drew them back within touch then his wide pass – which looked clearly forward – was ruled good and Sevu Reece strolled over amid vehement and justified Hurricanes protests.
As Ardie Savea departed to a huge ovation, it was game on entering the final 15.
AT A GLANCE
Crusaders 30 (George Bridge 2, Sevu Reece tries; Richie Mo’unga 3 con, 2 pen, David Havili dg) Hurricanes 27 (Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Wes Goosen tries; Jordie Barrett 3 con, 2 pen). HT: 17-17. FT: 27-27.
Stuff MVP points: Ardie Savea 3, Sam Whitelock 2, Jordie Barrett 1.
