Hot Hurricanes hold off Crusaders

BY DUNCAN JOHNSTONE

The Hurricanes have struggled to match the talk of them being title contenders but Colin Cooper's side certainly sent out a powerful message when they scored a close but hugely significant victory over the defending champion Crusaders in Christchurch.

There has been plenty of hype around the Hurricanes this year and until now they had failed to live up to it.

But this round with 10 All Blacks in their ranks who are starting to slip into a sweet groove the Canes took control of the game and then held off a Crusaders fightback to win 30-24.

This was their first victory in Christchurch since 2001 and just their second in 11 games against the Crusaders under Cooper's watch. It was just their fourth win over the red and blacks in 19 contests overall.

And at times on Friday night they made the champs look decidedly average and certainly - bar some late courage - a long way off last season's vintage.

The Hurricanes, apart from some sloppy field kicking at times, showed far better intensity and accuracy than their efforts from the opening two rounds when they slipped up against the Waratahs at home and snuck a late win over the Highlanders.

Cooper had made nine changes to the team and was forced into a 10^th when fullback Cory Jane was ruled out on match day.

The new lineup responded and perhaps the most significant improvement came with the direction from Piri Weepu's move to first five-eighths.

Mind you, considering how close this match finished, the Crusaders were their own worst enemies at times. The had some uncharacteristic ill-discipline that included skipper Richie McCaw being sin-binned.

Weepu, handling the No 10 duties with aplomb, was also happy to bang over the points with his accurate goalkicking.

Ma'a Nonu was a constant danger in the midfield with his sheer power and, as usual, there were some deft touches from his partner Conrad Smith that produced some effective atack.

The Hurricanes, playing brighter than their dull grey jerseys, also managed to produce some real grunt in their scrums including one first half tighthead and one turnover put-in in the second spell when they screwed the red and blacks.

The most redeeming feature for Todd Blackadder's side was their attitude. They shrugged off a problem-plagued performance to finish strongly. As they plugged away late they realised one more try would give them two invaluable bonus points and big No 8 Thomas Waldrom managed that a minute from the end to give them some good reward.

It was during this desperate period that the Hurricanes lost their skipper to the bin as well with Rodney So'oialo having to watch the final three minutes from the sidline.

There was a noticeable lift in the pace of this match. Yes there were associated errors with that, from both sides, but it was pleasing to see the standards heading in the right direction after what was a generally disappointing round for the Kiwi teams last weekend.

The Hurricanes got a jump start when Weepu landed two early penalties and Colin Slade missed two for the home side.

The Crusaders found the mark with their attack towards the end of the first quarter though when right wing Jared Payne broke up the middle and the ball was moved wide for centre Casey Laulal to crash over. Slade managed to land the conversion from the sideline and the red and blacks hit the lead.

But it was short-lived. Smith slipped through a gap down the blindside and snuck a great pass to young wing Zac Guildford who dived over in the corner and got the touchdown verdict despite some close attention from the video ref.

Weepu slotted the extras and happily landed another penalty when McCaw was yellow-carded for coming into a breakdown from the side.

The Canes enjoyed a 16-7 lead at the break.

Big Brad Thorn got the Crusaders right back into the match when he crashed over in the corner early in the second spell.

But the Hurricanes hit back immediately with a bit of luck when halfback Alby Mathewson intercepted 40m out and used his speed to dash to the posts.

Nonu made victory look a reality when he smashed through to the posts with Weepu's conversion taking the visitors out to 30-12.

To their credit the Crusaders kept attacking and Payne got a deserved try off a good break and pass from big lock Isaac Ross.

With the double bonus points in sight Waldrom managed to crash over in the corner from a quick tap peanlty for a decent dose of consolation.

Crusaders 24: Casey Laulala, Brad Thorn, Jared Payne, Thomas Waldrom tries; Colin Slade con; Stephen Brett con.

Hurricanes 30: Zac Guildford, Alby Mathewson, Ma'a Nonu tries; Piri Weepu 3 con, 3 pen.

HT: 7-16

What did you make of this match? Have your say below.

- © Fairfax NZ News