***CRUSADERS***BRILLIANCE!! Crusaders Prevail Over Spirited Hurricanes: Accuracy alluded the Hurricanes to the end as they threw everything into their last match of the season before falling 25-17 to the Crusaders in Christchurch. The Crusaders’ win ensures they will finish fourth and host a playoff match next Friday against either the Reds or Cheetahs. But their failure to gain a bonus point means the Chiefs are now the New Zealand Conference champions regardless of their final match against the Blues at Eden Park. The Hurricanes were left with a familiar feeling after their fifth straight loss, an unwanted franchise record. They can take some heart in their best defensive effort of the season, but little in the fact they will finish the season in 11th place. A charged down TJ Perenara clearing kick in the 52nd minute proved the crucial play in a match that could have tipped either way. Trailing 13-10 the Hurricanes won their lineout cleanly, only for their halfback’s kick to richochet into the hands of opposite Andy Ellis for a pivotal try. The Hurricanes fought back with a try to wing Julian Savea and a sideline conversion to Andre Taylor with 15 minutes to play, but couldn’t find the finishing touch that’s been missing all season. That belonged to the Crusaders who capped their night with a their third try to wing Tom Marshall in the final minutes. Effort has never been an issue for Mark Hammett’s side, but yet again they balanced out their strengths with their flaws during an entertaining match. Second five eighth Reynold Lee-Lo and hooker Ash Dixon punctuated their late season form with another bright display while Brad Shields and James Broadhurst featured strongly with ball in hand. First five eighth Beauden Barrett left the field with 28 minutes to go after catching an elbow in a front on tackle with Ellis. The Hurricanes had made a perfect start to the second half when Shields flew onto a flat Perenara pass to catch openside Matt Todd in two minds and close the gap to 13-10. But the Crusaders looked the more polished outfit and were unlucky not to have scored several tries during the first half. The Hurricanes’ defensive efforts were the highlight of a fast-paced first half that saw the two sides trade a try a-apiece. Crusaders wing Zac Guildford got the board first after toeing a loose ball 80 metres to take the wind out of the visitor’s breezy start. But the Hurricanes weren’t in the mood to roll over. They dominated the opening 25 minutes, but just couldn’t finish as the turnovers that have dogged them all season crept in at vital moments. The positive was that Hammett’s men denied the Crusaders what seemed certain tries on three ocassions in the final 10 minutes of the half. Savea’s try stopping shunt of Owen Franks in the corner was the pick of a series of big hits including a bone shuddering meeting of No 8s Victor Vito and Kieran Read. Tom Taylor should have passed after a Crusaders tighthead on the half hour mark and was crunched between James Marshall and Barrett for his troubles and sent to the blood bin. And another try went begging when prop Ben May intercepted after a prolonged Crusaders attack. But for all the Hurricanes’ valiant tackling the pressure gauge was moving ominously upwards and Crusaders first five eighth Dan Carter extended the lead to 13-5 with his second penalty before the teams headed to the sheds. Hurricanes 17 (Victor Vito, Brad Shields, Julian Savea tries, Andre Taylor con) Crusaders 25 (Zac Guildford, Andy Ellis, Tom Marshall tries, Dan Carter 2 cons, 2 pens). HT: 13-5 ***Crusaders*** Wave ur Flag Via Christchurch.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 11:16:32 +0000
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