Crusaders Vs Hurricanes: Super XV round 18 – Super Rugby match recap
Crusaders finished on top of the New Zealand conference table at the end of the round matches of the 2011 Super Rugby Competition as they defeated the their fellow conference team Hurricanes 16 – 9 on Saturday, June 18 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington.
Crusaders registered their 11th win of the season as they defeated the Hurricanes in a wet condition. This is the only match both team have played in the Super XV after their early match was cancelled due to the Christchurch earthquake.
The match was never played at a fast pace as players found it hard to control the wet ball. The Crusaders were able to keep possession during the match as both teams faced difficulties in tackling in the wet conditions.
Crusaders were first to score in the match as their international star fly half Dan Carter successfully kicked a penalty. Crusaders won the penalty courtesy of the Hurricanes centre Ma’a Nonu tackle of Carter without the use of arms.
Crusaders enjoyed more ball and territory possession as Hurricanes tried hard to level the score. In the 24th minute of the game Crusaders won their second penalty of the match on which Dan Carter opted for a touch.
Crusaders were able to run the ball a few paces but their prop, Owen Franks, was tackled resulting in the team losing their possession. However, the Crusaders regained the ball and were able to win a penalty in the 30th minute of the game and
Carter took the penalty but missed the posts.
Hurricanes replied with a strong run that earned them a penalty of their own. Fly half Aaron Cruden took the penalty kick and successfully slotted it to level the scores again in the 34th minute of the game.
Both teams were opening up with offence which created openings on which both teams capitalised. Crusaders ran a few paces before winning a penalty in the 37th minute of the game on which Carter successfully kicked to put the visitors in the lead
again.
In the last minute of the first-half, Hurricanes won a lineout and moved the ball towards the post and with the Crusaders defence under pressure they conceded another penalty. Cruden took the penalty and kicked it successfully to take the scorecard reading
to 6 – 6 that remained the same until the end of the first half.
Crusaders started the second half strongly and extended their lead courtesy of their centre Robert Fruean’s 42nd minute penalty. Carter followed by his own conversion to take the score to 13 – 6. Crusaders were enjoying ball and territory possession
but the hosts managed to find another penalty. Cruden scored his last penalty of the game in the 52nd minute of the match to reduce the lead to just four points.
Hurricanes retained possession and ran a few phases and set up Cruden to score a try. Crusaders fullback Tom Marshall with his had a try denying tackle and kept the hosts away from an opportunity to draw the game in their favour.
Crusaders scrum half Andy Ellis scored the drop goal in the 68th minute to extend the lead by seven points. In the remaining time, Hurricanes tried hard to score but failed to do so and ended the match with losing bonus point.
Crusaders will take on the Sharks on Saturday, June 25 at Nelson in the second super xv play-off game.
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