Crusaders drop to record fourth loss
Sound the alarm. Panic stations have officially set in for the Crusaders.
For the first time, the Crusaders have slumped to four straight defeats to open their tail-spinning season.
The Hurricanes maintained their unbeaten start to steal their first win in Christchurch in 14 years — and compound a mounting sense of desperation for the Crusaders after losses to the Chiefs, Waratahs and Fijian Drua.
The Crusaders have been hit by injuries, captain Scott Barrett the latest, and post-World Cup defections — yet few tipped the seven-time defending champions to start this poorly.
With derby games against the Blues at Eden Park and Chiefs to come in the next two weeks, coach Rob Penney needs to find answers fast or the Crusaders could soon be 0-6.
While the Crusaders will regain Joe Moody, Ethan Blackadder, Tamaiti Williams, Fergus Burke and Codie Taylor, if they ever needed a backs-tothe-wall performance, it is now.
The Hurricanes, so dominant in the first half, were forced to come from behind after the Crusaders regained composure to steal the lead for the first time in the 70th minute.
Despite battling an increasingly malfunctioning lineout, coach Clark Laidlaw’s men proved they are no fast-track bullies by grinding their way downfield and imposing pressure which resulted in replacement Crusaders lock Jamie Hannah being sent to the bin in the 77th minute.
From an audacious quick tap, replacement Hurricanes lock Justin Sangster scored. The Crusaders had one last shot but instead finished the contest with former All Blacks prop Owen Franks earning a yellow card for his clumsy cleanout attempt.
Victory keeps the Hurricanes top of the table as Super Rugby’s only unbeaten team. Their second-half performance warrants scrutiny but their ability to hang tough and respond when trailing saw them perform a Crusaders on the Crusaders. This is the first time since 2018 the Crusaders have lost twice in a row to Kiwi rivals.
The only concern for Laidlaw is dynamic fullback Ruben Love after he left the field midway through the second spell with an ankle injury.
This game wasn’t a classic by any stretch, more a pointer of what’s to come as winter nears. And with that in mind, both teams have work to do.
After a fumbling, bumbling first half, the Crusaders found success in the second by reverting to their inherent kicking and direct carrying traits. With ball in hand, the Hurricanes had the Crusaders’ measure throughout but, off the boot, which dominated as tension built, the locals enjoyed the upper hand.
David Havili, Cullen Grace, Sevu Reece, thanks to his try-saving efforts and breakdown strength, and Macca Springer were the Crusaders’ best. It was fitting, then, that Grace drew his side level with another hearty carry close to the line. Grace was influential again to steal a crucial lineout throw with the Hurricanes hot on attack.
The dramatically altered landscape was evident from the outset, though, with the Hurricanes entering fortress territory to pile on pressure and force the Crusaders to cling on. With initial accuracy and confidence, the Hurricanes made all the play.
Hurricanes loosies Brayden Iose, with his speed off the back of the scrum causing problems, Peter Lakai and his ball carrying work-rate and Devan Flanders’ power, led the way.
All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax continued his compelling early-season form, too, by crashing over for the opening try, leading the Hurricanes scrum shunt and being heavily involved on both sides of the ball.
Riley Hohepa, thrust into his maiden Super Rugby start after being called in from the Chiefs wider training squad, grew as the match wore on. After shanking his first penalty, he rectified that to push the Crusaders into the lead.
On attack, though, the Crusaders were clunky again. In greasy conditions, their passing was laboured and they often lacked deception and punch. Several times, the Hurricanes pounced on errors — nine in the first half alone — to leave the Crusaders defence scrambling. That part, the Crusaders did well. Otherwise, Penney faces another daunting week as the weight of history grows. Crusaders 10 (Cullen Grace try; Riley Hohepa con, pen)
Hurricanes 14 (Tyrel Lomax, Justin Sangster tries; Brett Cameron 2 cons) HT: 0-7.