The Hurricanes spoiled Crusaders captain Kieran Read's 100th game celebrations with an upset 29-26 Super Rugby win in Christchurch last night.
Trailing 26-24 inside the final 10 minutes, the Hurricanes stole the match-winning try when right wing Alapati Leiua embarked on a barnstorming run past five defenders to score his side's fourth bonus-point try.
The Crusaders had the chance to level the scores with four minutes remaining, when Faifili Levave was penalised for a high tackle, but Tom Taylor's kick fell short of the sticks and the visitors hung on for their second win of the season.
Read's night was cut short when he was forced from the field with an ankle injury early in the first half, but a post-match presentation acknowledged his 100-game milestone, in front of a deflated AMI Stadium crowd.
A Beauden Barrett penalty gave the Hurricanes the lead after five minutes and they followed it up with a try out wide to Levave, who cleaned up a loose ball to dive over the line, after Julian Savea's pass was knocked down by Crusaders wing Nafi Tuitavake.
A Taylor penalty gave the Crusaders their first points after 16 minutes, but penalties and six turnovers in the opening 20 minutes allowed the Hurricanes to dominate possession and territory.
They made the most of their chances when halfback TJ Perenara dived over from the base of a ruck to score the Hurricanes second five-pointer, Barrett again converting to give them a healthy 17-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Mistakes at the kick-off and a lineout continued to hurt the hosts, but a quick-tap penalty from Andy Ellis allowed Ryan Crotty to break through and kick ahead for Johnny McNicholl to take on the bounce and score the Crusaders' first try.
Improved possession allowed the Crusaders to apply some heat, with repeat phases stretching the Hurricanes defence to give McNicholl room out wide to cross for his second try, and leave the home side just two points adrift eight minutes from halftime.
The momentum stayed with the red and blacks before a scrum penalty gifted Taylor an easy kick to see them steal a 18-17 lead right on half-time.
A brilliant chip ahead and regather gave Julian Savea a try three minutes after the resumption, Barrett again converting to give the Hurricanes a 24-18 advantage.
The Crusaders found a way back in the 57th minute when Colin Slade snuck through for their third, however Taylor missed an easy conversion to leave them trailing 24-23 heading into the final quarter.
A Taylor penalty in the 64th minute gave the Crusaders the lead, before Barrett missed two attempts of his own, the second a sitter from close range.
The visitors looked to have missed their chance before Leiua's game-breaking score, Barrett missing his third consecutive kick to leave the Crusaders in the hunt.
It wasn't to be however, and they now face a trip to South Africa where they take on the Lions in Johannesburg next Sunday (NZT), while the Hurricanes eye a round eight clash against the Bulls in Napier next Saturday.
Hurricanes 29 (Alapati Leiua, Faifili Levave, TJ Perenara, Julian Savea tries Beauden Barrett 3 cons pen)
Crusaders 26 (Johnny McNicholl 2, Colin Slade tries Tom Taylor con 3 pens)
Source: ONE News
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