Crusaders avenge loss to Hurricanes
What a difference eight months can make in Super Rugby.
The Crusaders dispatched the Hurricanes 33-16 in Christchurch yesterday afternoon with a performance fuelled by their twopoint loss to the same side at the same venue last year.
Crusaders coaches and players admitted the defeat, which snapped a 36-match unbeaten run on home soil, was raised during preparation the week, adding an extra edge to an already explosive rivalry.
Clearly, it worked. The Crusaders outscored the Hurricanes five tries to two in a comfortable bonus point win in front of about 12,000 fans at Orangetheory Stadium.
Not only did it propel the champions to a 2-0 start, it condemned the Hurricanes to an 0-2 start to Super Rugby Aotearoa yet again.
The game was as good as over when Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor pounced on a rotten Ricky Riccatelli lineout throw early in the second half.
His second try of the game, and third of the young season, put the hosts 33-6 up after 47 minutes, reminding everyone they remain the benchmark.
To add to the Hurricanes’ woes, hooker Asafo Aumua left the field holding his right-arm early in the second half with what appeared to be a serous injury.
Aumua, so dominant against the Blues last week, suffered the injury attempting to tackle loosehead prop Joe Moody.
In a game both teams lost captain’s referrals, the game lost its shape after the Crusaders blew the game open and went to their bench early in the second spell.
Down 26-6 at the split, it was always going to be a mountain to climb for the Hurricanes, and that was before the weather turned and rain began to fall.
Riccatelli and Peter UmagaJensen pegged back consolation tries but the Hurricanes never threatened to drag back the hosts, who did a fine job keeping powerful midfielders Ngani Laumape and Umaga-Jensen quiet much of
Crusaders 33 (Codie Tylor 2, Richie Mo’unga, Ethan Blackadder, Scott Barrett tries; Richie Mo’unga 4 con, Fergus Burke con) Hurricanes 16 (Ricky Riccatelli, Peter Umaga-Jensen tries; Jordie Barrett 2 pens). HT: 26-6.