The Crusaders launched a stirring second-half comeback to defeat the Hurricanes 33-25 in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season opener, with debutant halfback Kyle Preston announcing himself on the big stage with a remarkable hat-trick at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch.
Key Moments:
3′ – Scott Barrett yellow carded for hands in the ruck
6′ – Jacob Devery powers over for opening try
15′ – Devery scores second after Naholo draw and pass
19′ – Kyle Preston scores on debut following Will Jordan break
25′ – Cullen Grace crosses after 19-phase attack
34′ – Harry Godfrey penalty extends Hurricanes lead
39′ – Kini Naholo’s acrobatic finish puts Hurricanes up 22-14
55′ – Preston scores second try from Reece grubber kick
59′ – Callum Harkin lands 50-meter penalty (25-21)
66′ – Sevu Reece scores under posts after McLeod break
75′ – Preston completes hat-trick with dummy and dive
77′ – Harkin misses late penalty attempt
The match began inauspiciously for the home side when Scott Barrett was shown a yellow card in the third minute for hands in the ruck. The Hurricanes immediately capitalized on their numerical advantage, with hooker Jacob Devery showcasing immense strength to power through two defenders and reach out to score in the sixth minute after Cam Roigard’s clever snipe had created the initial momentum.
Devery doubled his tally in the 15th minute following a clinical backline move. The Hurricanes shifted the ball wide where Kini Naholo’s perfectly timed draw and pass created space for Devery to stroll over untouched down the left edge, extending the lead to 14-0 after Godfrey’s conversion.
The Crusaders, showing their characteristic resilience, responded through the returning Will Jordan, whose blistering break carved open the Hurricanes’ defense. The fullback drew the last defender before delivering a perfect inside pass to Preston, who marked his unexpected debut with a try under the posts after replacing the injured Noah Hotham early in the match.
A masterclass in patience and control followed as the Crusaders mounted a 19-phase assault on the Hurricanes’ line. The forwards hammered away through pick-and-drives before Cullen Grace finally muscled over from close range to level the scores at 14-14 with Kemara’s conversion.
The Hurricanes finished the half stronger, with Godfrey’s penalty edging them ahead before Naholo produced a moment of magic in the 39th minute. After slow ball for Kirifi and carries from Godfrey and Walker-Leawere, some quick hands from Harkin sent Naholo into space, and he showed remarkable athleticism to dive high and plant the ball down one-handed in the corner, giving the visitors a deserved 22-14 lead at the break.
The turning point came in the 55th minute through a sequence of brilliant interplay. After Havili dropped the ball cold from a lineout, Roigard’s clearance was fielded by Jordan outside his 22. The fullback combined with Havili, whose chip kick was gathered by Jordan before finding Reece on the left wing. The winger’s perfectly weighted grubber kick pulled up just short of the try line, allowing Preston to showcase his pace by winning the race to the ball and scoring his second try under the posts.
While Callum Harkin’s impressive 50-meter penalty briefly extended the Hurricanes’ lead to 25-21, the Crusaders’ momentum proved unstoppable. In the 66th minute, replacement Dallas McLeod’s sharp handling created space for Reece 20 meters out, and the All Black wing showed his devastating pace to beat the covering defence and score under the posts, giving the Crusaders their first lead at 28-25 with O’Connor’s conversion.
Preston then sealed his fairy tale debut in the 75th minute. After the Crusaders had battered away at the try line with replacement prop George Bower going close, Preston spotted a gap, threw an outrageous dummy that completely fooled the defense, and dived over down the left side to complete a memorable hat-trick.
The Hurricanes had one final opportunity to salvage something from the match when Harkin lined up a penalty attempt in the 77th minute, but his kick drifted wide to the left. The Crusaders controlled the closing minutes through their forwards, with Kellow, Cahill, and Bower all carrying effectively before Preston fittingly ended the match by kicking the ball into touch.
The forward battle was particularly intense, with Scott Barrett and Ethan Blackadder immense for the Crusaders after Barrett’s early indiscretion. For the Hurricanes, Du’Plessis Kirifi was relentless at the breakdown, while the halfback pairing of Cam Roigard and Harry Godfrey controlled proceedings well in the first half.
Will Jordan’s return from injury provided the spark the Crusaders needed, with his counter-attacking brilliance setting up crucial tries. James O’Connor offered vital guidance after replacing Taha Kemara in the 57th minute, while Dallas McLeod’s introduction proved pivotal in creating the go-ahead try. The Hurricanes’ young guns showed plenty of promise, with debutant fullback Callum Harkin looking assured despite his late missed penalty, while wingers Naholo and Fehi Fineanganofo caused problems throughout.
Both teams made full use of their benches in an intense second half, with the Crusaders’ replacements particularly influential. George Bower, Sam Matenga, and Corey Kellow provided fresh impetus in the forward exchanges, while the Hurricanes introduced Ere Enari against his former team and brought on experienced campaigners like Pouri Rakete-Stones and Pasilio Tosi to try to stem the tide.
The victory marks an important start for the Crusaders as they look to bounce back from their uncharacteristic ninth-place finish in 2024. For the Hurricanes, despite the loss, their first-half performance and the contributions of newcomers like Devery and Harkin suggest they’ll again be strong contenders this season.
International2 weeks ago
International3 weeks ago
International1 week ago
International2 weeks ago
International2 weeks ago
International2 weeks ago
International1 week ago
International2 weeks ago