Crusaders still NZ's No.1
MATCH REPORT: Crusaders bounced back in style with a impressive 32-8 win over the Hurricanes at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington.
Normality was restored as the Crusaders outscored the Hurricanes four tries to one - making amends for a defeat to NSW Waratahs last week that broke a 19-match winning streak.
The Crusaders scoreline included a double for David Havili, who was denied a hat-trick by a forward pass, while Braydon Ennor and Will Jordan also got their name on the scoresheet.
All Blacks captain Kieran Read made his first appearance of the season in the number eight shirt for the Crusaders but sat out the second half with an apparent thigh strain.
Crusaders captain Sam Whitelock said his team had a point to prove after last week's loss.
"We looked at ourselves pretty heavily, our decision-making and how we play," he said.
"I thought tonight we controlled the ball better and it allowed us to play when we wanted."
The Hurricanes dominated the early exchanges but the Crusaders scored the first try when Will Jordan chased down Bryn Hall's cross-field kick in the corner.
Fullback Havili then gathered his own kick, after Hurricanes defender Ben Lam fumbled his catch, to cross for the Crusaders' second try.
Ngani Laumape clawed one back for the Hurricanes but a Richie Mo'unga penalty gave the Crusaders a 17-8 lead at half-time.
Havili scored his second soon after the restart and Braydon Ennor added another as the Crusaders took control, making it 29-8.
Another Mo'unga penalty sealed the win, with the Hurricanes just failing to score a try in the game's final moments.
The Scorers:
For Hurricanes:
Try: Laumape
Pen: J Barrett
For Crusaders:
Tries: Jordan, Havili 2, Ennor
Cons: Mo'unga 3
Pens: Mo'unga 2
Yellow card: Matt Todd (Crusaders, 26 - Cynical foul)
Man of the match: The reigning champions were certainly in control of the match. The likes of Richie Mo'unga and David Havili were in fine form with their impressive runs and fine footwork. However, for his impressive workrate our nod goes to Crusaders Jack Goodhue. The centre made all his tackles which was well into double figures and made 23 metres
Teams:
Hurricanes: 15 Chase Tiatia, 14 Jordie Barrett, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Thomas Perenara (captain), 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Liam Mitchell, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Ben May, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Fraser Armstrong.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Richard Judd, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Wes Goosen.
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Braydon Ennor, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 5 Samuel Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Harry Allan.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 George Bower, 18 Oli Jager, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Savu Reece.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Damon Murphy, Nick Hogan (New Zealand)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)
As it happened: Hurricanes v Crusaders
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Source: @rugby365com & AFP