Super Rugby Pacific

13-man Crusaders survive late Hurricanes comeback to go top

Published

12 months ago

11th April 2025

Crusaders James O'Connor (L) celebrates a try with team mate Levi Aumua (C during the Hurricanes v Crusaders, Super Rugby Pacific match, Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand. Friday, 11 April 2025, (Photo by Marty Melville / action press)

The Crusaders survived a late onslaught with just 13 men to claim a dramatic 31-24 victory over the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium on Friday night, briefly moving to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific standings.

Key moments:

9′ – Peter Umaga-Jensen celebrates his 50th cap with opening try after clever build-up from lineout; Hohepa converts (7-0)
13′ – Tamaiti Williams responds for Crusaders from driving maul; Kemara misses conversion (7-5)
16′ – Ioane Moananu scores after brilliant Scott Barrett break and offload; Kemara converts (7-12)
21′ – Riley Hohepa penalty goal after Lio-Willie infringement at breakdown (10-12)
25′ – Taha Kemara leaves field for HIA, replaced by James O’Connor in crucial substitution
31′ – James O’Connor pounces on overthrown lineout for intercept try on first involvement; converts own try (10-19)
37′ – Chay Fihaki scores spectacular diving finish in corner after Aumua chip-and-chase; O’Connor misses conversion (10-24)
51′ – Moananu scores his second try from driving maul; Kemara converts (10-31)
64′ – Peter Lakai sparks comeback with quick-tap try; Harkin converts (17-31)
68′ – Ethan Blackadder receives yellow card for repeated infringements near try-line
70′ – Antonio Shalfoon joins Blackadder in sin bin; Crusaders down to 13 men
72′ – Umaga-Jensen scores second try under posts against 13-man defence; Harkin converts (24-31)
81′ – Crusaders defend final lineout with heroic turnover to secure win

Rob Penney’s side dominated for the first 60 minutes, building a commanding 31-10 lead before two yellow cards in quick succession sparked a frantic Hurricanes comeback that fell just short in a thrilling finish.

The Crusaders hold on for a massive win despite a late charge by the Hurricanes 🔥#SuperRugbyPacific | #HURvCRU pic.twitter.com/Q2iHSxftfR

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 11, 2025

Under-fire All Blacks captain Scott Barrett silenced his critics with a commanding performance, while hooker Ioane Moananu scored two crucial tries that helped establish the Crusaders’ lead before the late drama.
For milestone man Peter Umaga-Jensen, who scored twice in his 50th appearance, it was a bittersweet occasion as his Hurricanes side slumped to a defeat that leaves them outside the playoff places and facing a defining Australian tour.

The Hurricanes began brightly, with Umaga-Jensen crossing in the ninth minute after a controlled build-up from a lineout near the Crusaders’ line. The hosts worked patiently from the set-piece, with scrum-half Cam Roigard delivering a perfect pass to Riley Hohepa, who wrapped around into midfield before sending the ball wide. Umaga-Jensen, celebrating his 50th cap, hit a sharp inside line and used an explosive left-foot step to beat two defenders before powering over. Hohepa’s conversion gave the hosts a 7-0 lead that they would not hold for long.

The Crusaders’ response was swift and emphatic. Prop Tamaiti Williams crashed over from a rolling maul in the 13th minute, showing tremendous power to break away from what initially looked like a well-defended drive. The Hurricanes had actually driven the maul backwards at first, but Williams bound on late, providing the crucial momentum that allowed the visitors to change direction and surge toward the line. Though Taha Kemara missed the conversion from a difficult angle, the Crusaders had served notice of their forward dominance.

Just three minutes later, Moananu scored the first of his two tries after a brilliant break from Barrett, who sprinted through a gap between the two Hurricanes locks before drawing two defenders and delivering a perfectly timed pass. The All Blacks captain’s explosive run punched a hole in the defensive line, and the hooker showed impressive pace to finish under the posts. Kemara made no mistake with the simple conversion, putting the visitors ahead 12-7.

A Hohepa penalty narrowed the gap to 12-10 in the 21st minute after Christian Lio-Willie was penalised for going off his feet at the breakdown, but the Crusaders seized complete control with two tries before halftime.

In the 25th minute, Taha Kemara was forced to leave the field for a head injury assessment, with James O’Connor entering the fray as his replacement. The former Wallaby made an immediate impact, capitalising on an overthrown lineout in the 31st minute to spin through several tacklers and race clear under the posts. O’Connor showed remarkable awareness to pounce on the wayward throw that eluded two Hurricanes forwards. He then executed a perfect spin move to evade the desperate lunges of Cam Roigard and another defender before accelerating into open space for a try that stunned the home crowd. His successful conversion extended the visitors’ lead to 19-10.

The visitors landed another devastating blow just before the interval when Chay Fihaki finished spectacularly in the corner following excellent work from Levi Aumua. The sequence began with what looked like a poorly executed crossfield kick from David Havili, which forced Sevu Reece behind the gain line. However, Reece quickly identified a gap in the defensive line and burst through, linking with Will Jordan who carried the attack to the 22-metre line.

Though Jordan became isolated, the Crusaders regained possession and shifted the ball to Aumua, who produced a moment of individual brilliance. The powerful centre spotted a small gap on the edge, accelerated through it, and then executed a perfectly weighted chip kick over the defence. Showing remarkable athleticism, Aumua regathered the ball himself and made further ground before the Crusaders worked the ball rapidly to the right.

It was here that Barrett’s game awareness again proved decisive. Seeing that the Hurricanes had concentrated their defence in the middle of the field, he called for a short-side play where Fihaki was waiting unmarked. The winger still had work to do, diving acrobatically and grounding the ball one-handed while his body was airborne over the touchline – a finish of the highest quality. O’Connor’s conversion attempt missed, but the Crusaders took a commanding 24-10 lead into halftime.

The Crusaders backline had been given license to attack with width and flair in the first half, while Barrett dominated the physical exchanges with his powerful carrying and committed defensive work.

The Crusaders extended their advantage shortly after the restart when tempers flared. Ruben Love’s frustration boiled over after his kick from inside his own 22 rolled dead. The Hurricanes fullback took out Will Jordan off the ball, sparking a melee that resulted in a penalty to the visitors.

From the ensuing field position, Moananu scored his second try in the 51st minute, peeling off a dominant rolling maul. The Crusaders pack set up the maul about 10 metres from the try line, and with methodical precision, drove forward with Moananu controlling the ball at the back. As they approached the line, the hooker peeled away at precisely the right moment to dive over. Kemara’s conversion made it 31-10, and the contest appeared all but over.

However, just as the Crusaders seemed to be cruising, the Hurricanes launched an improbable comeback. Peter Lakai burrowed over from close range in the 64th minute following a quick tap. The try came after a sustained period of pressure where the Hurricanes had finally managed to establish some territorial advantage.

After multiple phases with little progress, referee James Doleman signalled a penalty advantage to the hosts. Lakai, who had been one of the few Hurricanes forwards to match the Crusaders’ physicality throughout the match, reacted instantly. Without waiting for his teammates to set up, he tapped the ball and charged straight at the line from five metres out, using his powerful leg drive to burrow beneath two defenders and stretch for the whitewash. Callum Harkin, on as a replacement for Hohepa, added the conversion to reduce the deficit to 31-17.

The momentum shifted dramatically when the Crusaders lost Ethan Blackadder to the sin bin in the 68th minute for repeated infringements near their line. The flanker had been warned multiple times by Doleman as the Crusaders’ defensive discipline crumbled under mounting pressure from the reinvigorated Hurricanes attack.

Shortly afterwards, Antonio Shalfoon followed him for a similar offence in the 70th minute, compounding the visitors’ problems and leaving them to defend with just 13 men for the final 10 minutes. The Hurricanes’ numerical advantage completely altered the complexion of the match, with the previously dominant Crusaders now desperately scrambling in defence.

The Hurricanes immediately capitalised, with Umaga-Jensen crossing for his second try in the 72nd minute. After several phases of sustained pressure, where the undermanned Crusaders defence was stretched from sideline to sideline, Roigard delivered a pinpoint pass that allowed the centre to burst through a gap and score directly under the posts. The positioning made Harkin’s conversion straightforward, narrowing the gap to just seven points at 31-24 and setting up a grandstand finish that had seemed unthinkable just 15 minutes earlier.

With time expired in the 81st minute, the Hurricanes earned one final attacking lineout deep in Crusaders territory after Du’Plessis Kirifi won a crucial turnover penalty in the dying seconds. The co-captain had been relatively quiet by his standards but produced a vital intervention when it mattered most, getting over the ball at a ruck to win the penalty that gave his team one last opportunity.

The tension in Sky Stadium was palpable as the Hurricanes set up for what could have been a match-levelling drive. Peter Lakai secured clean possession at the front of the lineout, and the Hurricanes forwards immediately formed a maul with Raymond Tuputupu controlling the ball at the back. The drive initially made good progress, but the Crusaders’ defensive maul technique – even with two players in the sin bin – proved superior in the crucial moment.

The depleted Crusaders defence produced a heroic turnover as Shalfoon, who had just returned from the sin bin, reached through the maul and batted the ball from Tuputupu’s grasp. The ball spilled forward, giving the Crusaders a scrum and effectively ending the contest. It was a dramatic conclusion to a match that had seemed like a comfortable Crusaders victory for the first hour before transforming into one of the most exciting finishes of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

The Crusaders remain well on course for a home playoff berth despite the late scare. While their performance was far from perfect, particularly their second-half discipline collapse, their determined defence in the final minutes showed the resilience that has been their hallmark for years.

The victory temporarily lifted the Crusaders to the summit of the Super Rugby Pacific table, pending the Chiefs’ result against the Waratahs later in the round. For the Hurricanes, a second consecutive narrow defeat leaves them in seventh place, one point behind the sixth-placed Waratahs.

The loss will undoubtedly sting for the Hurricanes, who were largely their own worst enemy. Frequent handling errors and a lack of physicality in the first 65 minutes undermined their efforts before their late resurgence.
Barrett, who had been criticised by former All Blacks Jeff Wilson and Mils Muliaina during the week for his lacklustre form in 2025, responded emphatically. His powerful carries, robust defence and decisive line break that set up Moananu’s first try showed why he remains the All Blacks’ captain.

The Hurricanes now face a crucial two-match tour of Australia, with games against the Western Force in Perth and the Brumbies in Canberra that could define their playoff hopes. The Crusaders, meanwhile, will welcome the defending champion Blues to Christchurch next Friday with renewed confidence after consecutive victories.

Related Topics:Canterbury Crusaders Hurricanes Super Rugby Pacific

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Super Rugby Pacific

Western Force 42–19 Queensland Reds – Super Rugby Pacific Round 8

Published

2 hours ago

4th April 2026

rugbyisthegame

Western Force 42–19 Queensland Reds – Super Rugby Pacific Round 8

SUPER RUGBY REDS FORCE, The Force celebrate a try during the Super Rugby Pacific Round 8 match between the Queensland Reds and the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (IMAGO / AAP)

Franco Molina produced a stunning hat-trick as the Western Force pulled off a 42–19 bonus-point upset over the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium — their first bonus-point win over the Reds since 2012.

Key moments

12 mins – TRY FORCE: The Force build through phases before Franco Molina snipes around the ruck to dot down beside the posts. Ben Donaldson converts. (Force 7–0)

17 mins – TRY REDS: A slick set-piece move from the lineout sees Hunter Paisami pop a lovely ball out the back, sending Tim Ryan through a massive gap to score under the sticks. Jock Campbell converts. (Force 7–7)

24 mins – TRY REDS: The Force collapse at scrum time and Kalani Thomas taps quickly, stepping past two defenders before firing to Joe Brial, who barges over. Campbell hits the post. (Reds 12–7)

32 mins – TRY FORCE: Molina burrows low through multiple pick-and-goes before muscling his way over for his second. Donaldson converts. (Force 14–12)

40 mins – TRY FORCE: A brilliant counter sparked by Dylan Pietsch opens space down the left. Nick Champion de Crespigny strides away and draws the fullback before linking with Mac Grealy on the inside to score. Donaldson converts. (Force 21–12)

Half-time: Force 21–12. The Force head into the sheds with a nine-point lead after a lively first half. Molina has been immense, while the Reds have looked dangerous but let themselves down with errors at key moments.

50 mins – TRY FORCE: Donaldson stabs a perfectly weighted cross-kick to the right wing and Darby Lancaster flies high above Campbell to take a clean catch and score in the corner. Lancaster limps off with an ankle injury. Donaldson converts. (Force 28–12)

54 mins – YELLOW CARD REDS: Harry Wilson is sent to the bin for head-on-head contact with Molina. The Force immediately attack with a man advantage.

59 mins – TRY FORCE: The Force win the lineout and charge around the corner. Brandon Paenga-Amosa shrugs off a defender and dots down beside the posts. Donaldson converts. (Force 35–12)

76 mins – TRY REDS: Josh Flook gets a brilliant short ball from Wilson on the right wing and breaks clean through from 70 metres out. He draws the fullback and fires to Filipo Daugunu, who streaks away to score in the corner. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips converts. (Force 35–19)

80+1 mins – TRY FORCE: Molina gets it one-off the ruck, bumping off defenders and carrying two players over the line with him to complete a stunning hat-trick and seal the bonus point. Donaldson converts. (Force 42–19)

Full-time: Western Force 42–19 Queensland Reds

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Treyvon Pritchard, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Kalani Thomas, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight (c), 6 Joe Brial, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Seru Uru, 3 Nick Bloomfield, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Hamish Muller, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Louis Werchon, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Tim Ryan.

Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Dylan Pietsch, 13 George Bridge, 12 Bayley Kuenzle, 11 Darby Lancaster, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Henry Robertson, 8 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 7 Jack Daly, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny (c), 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Misinale Epenisa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 19 Lopeti Faifua, 20 Will Harris, 21 Agustin Moyano, 22 Kurtley Beale, 23 Hamish Stewart.

Match details

Western Force 42 (Tries: Molina 3, Grealy, Lancaster, Paenga-Amosa; Conversions: Donaldson 6/6)
Queensland Reds 19 (Tries: Ryan, Brial, Daugunu; Conversions: Campbell 1/2, McLaughlin-Phillips 1/1)
Half-time: 21–12
Yellow card: Harry Wilson (Reds, 54′)

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)

Super Rugby Pacific

Chiefs 42–14 Waratahs – Super Rugby Pacific Round 8

Published

3 hours ago

4th April 2026

rugbyisthegame

Chiefs 42–14 Waratahs – Super Rugby Pacific Round 8

Chiefs Kyren Taumoefolau and Chiefs Liam Coombes-Fabling celebrate a try during the Chiefs v Waratahs, Super Rugby Pacific match, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Saturday, 4 April 2026, (Photo by Aaron Gillions / action press)

Quinn Tupaea scored twice as the Chiefs cruised to a 42–14 bonus-point victory over the NSW Waratahs in Hamilton, leaping into third place on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder.

Key moments

8 mins – TRY CHIEFS: Xavier Roe stabs a kick in behind after a dominant scrum and Sid Harvey fails to scoop it up, allowing Kyren Taumoefolau to pounce on the loose ball. Josh Jacomb misses the conversion. (Chiefs 5–0)

15 mins – PENALTY CHIEFS: Jacomb slots a penalty from in front after Charlie Gamble is pinged at the breakdown. (Chiefs 8–0)

27 mins – TRY CHIEFS: The Chiefs hammer away from close range, rolling through multiple phases before Samisoni Taukei’aho burrows over from a Roe pop pass. Jacomb misses the conversion. (Chiefs 13–0)

31 mins – TRY WARATAHS: The Waratahs stay patient on the right before swinging it through the hands. Max Jorgensen fires a pass wide to find Sid Harvey unmarked on the left wing. Harvey converts his own try. (Chiefs 13–7)

37 mins – TRY CHIEFS: Quinn Tupaea creates the opportunity with a classy break before finding the space close to the line several phases later. He dives over to the right of the posts. Jacomb converts. (Chiefs 20–7)

40 mins – PENALTY CHIEFS: Jacomb caps off a dominant first half with another three-pointer after Harvey is isolated at ruck-time. (Chiefs 23–7)

Half-time: Chiefs 23–7. A comfortable lead at the break for the Chiefs, who have dominated territory and possession. Their scrum has proved a key weapon, while Kaylum Boshier, Quinn Tupaea and Kyren Taumoefolau have all looked dangerous with ball in hand.

46 mins – TRY CHIEFS: Roe makes the initial break before spellbinding play from Jacomb sets up Tupaea for his second. The centre shows great strength to shed defenders and crash over. Jacomb converts. (Chiefs 30–7)

59 mins – TRY CHIEFS: Tupou Vaa’i holds up a pass to send Ollie Norris charging through a hole, and the loosehead bursts into the 22. He pops it off the deck to Samipeni Finau, who crashes over. Jacomb converts. (Chiefs 37–7)

69 mins – TRY WARATAHS: Strong carries from Folau Fainga’a set the platform before Jake Gordon finds Pete Samu, who strolls over from close range. Harvey converts. (Chiefs 37–14)

76 mins – TRY CHIEFS: Taumoefolau flies out of the line and crunches Triston Reilly, forcing the turnover. He gathers the loose ball and races 60 metres untouched to seal the bonus point. Jacomb misses. (Chiefs 42–14)

Full-time: Chiefs 42–14

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Chiefs: 15 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Leroy Carter, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Kaylum Boshier, 7 Luke Jacobson (c), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Reuben O’Neill, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ollie Norris.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 George Dyer, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Kyle Brown, 23 Daniel Sinkinson.

Waratahs: 15 Sid Harvey, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Triston Reilly, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Max Jorgensen, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Teddy Wilson, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Clem Halaholo, 5 Miles Amatosero, 4 Matt Philip (c), 3 Dan Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Tom Lambert.
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Jack Barrett, 18 Siosifa Amone, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Jamie Adamson, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Jack Bowen, 23 George Poolman.

Match details

Chiefs 42 (Tries: Tupaea 2, Taumoefolau 2, Taukei’aho, Finau; Conversions: Jacomb 4/6; Penalties: Jacomb 2/2)
Waratahs 14 (Tries: Harvey, Samu; Conversions: Harvey 2/2)
Half-time: 23–7

Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)

Super Rugby Pacific

Crusaders 69–26 Fijian Drua – Super Rugby Pacific Round 8

Published

1 day ago

3rd April 2026

rugbyisthegame

Crusaders 69–26 Fijian Drua – Super Rugby Pacific Round 8

Crusaders Codie Taylor try during the Crusaders v Fijian Drua, Super Rugby Pacific match, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand. Friday, 3 April 2026, (Photo by Martin Hunter / action press)

Codie Taylor scored four tries on his 150th appearance as the Crusaders farewelled Apollo Projects Stadium with a dominant 69–26 victory over the Fijian Drua in Christchurch.

Key moments

3 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Chay Fihaki breaks the line from an inside ball and Will Jordan throws a looping pass for Sevu Reece to score in the corner. Taha Kemara misses the conversion. (Crusaders 5–0)

10 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Jamie Hannah releases Fletcher Newell into a huge hole with a slick backdoor offload and Leicester Fainga’anuku finishes in the corner. Kemara’s conversion drifts left. (Crusaders 10–0)

14 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Codie Taylor crashes over from a rolling maul for his first — his 50th try for the Crusaders. Kemara converts. (Crusaders 17–0)

18 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Taylor doubles his tally from another lineout drive. Kemara converts. (Crusaders 24–0)

22 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Leicester Fainga’anuku’s excellent cross-kick is grabbed by Sevu Reece, who scores inside the corner flag for his second. Kemara converts. (Crusaders 31–0)

30 mins – TRY FIJIAN DRUA: Joseva Tamani powers over from close range to stem the bleeding. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula converts. (Crusaders 31–7)

32 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Will Jordan breaches the defence and Antonio Shalfoon sets up Chay Fihaki. Kemara converts. (Crusaders 38–7)

34 mins – YELLOW CARD CRUSADERS: Johnny Lee shown yellow for repeated team infringements.

37 mins – TRY FIJIAN DRUA: The Drua capitalise on their numerical advantage as Elia Canakaivata finishes off a driving maul. Armstrong-Ravula misses the conversion. (Crusaders 38–12)

Half-time: Crusaders 38–12. The Crusaders ran riot in the opening quarter, racing to a 31–0 lead in just 23 minutes. Codie Taylor’s brace from the maul and Sevu Reece’s double set the tone, though Johnny Lee’s yellow card gave the visitors a lifeline heading into the break.

41 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Taylor completes his hat-trick with a pick-and-go from close range just 90 seconds into the second half. Kemara converts. (Crusaders 45–12)

44 mins – TRY FIJIAN DRUA: Issak Fines-Leleiwasa makes the break and Zuriel Togiatama’s work allows Elia Canakaivata to score his second. Armstrong-Ravula converts. (Crusaders 45–19)

47 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Leicester Fainga’anuku produces a spellbinding run and offloads to Codie Taylor for his fourth — completing his haul just before the 50-minute mark. Kemara converts. (Crusaders 52–19)

53 mins – TRY FIJIAN DRUA: Former Crusader Manasa Mataele produces a stunning individual effort to score against his old club. Armstrong-Ravula converts. (Crusaders 52–26)

58 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Corey Kellow crashes over after sustained pressure near the line. Kemara misses. (Crusaders 57–26)

60 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Chay Fihaki intercepts and races away to score his second. Kemara converts. (Crusaders 64–26)

75 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: A gap opens in the defence and Sevu Reece completes his hat-trick. Unconverted. (Crusaders 69–26)

80 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Seb Calder picks from the base of the ruck and crashes over for the 11th try of the night. Kemara misses. (Crusaders 74–26)

Full-time: Crusaders 69–26

Match report

There was never any need for histrionics or tearful speeches inside the Crusaders camp. The 14-year partnership between the club and the modest arena in Addington — a venue that was supposed to be a temporary solution after Lancaster Park was damaged beyond repair in the 2011 earthquakes — deserved a proper send-off. The Crusaders delivered emphatically, notching their 100th win at the ground where they have claimed four Super Rugby titles.

Codie Taylor, the popular hooker celebrating his 150th appearance, met his wife and three children on the grass before kick-off and was greeted by a haka from members of the Sydenham rugby club. What followed was a masterclass from the All Blacks veteran, who crossed four times in just 51 minutes to extend his career record to 53 tries — the most by any forward in Super Rugby history.

The onslaught began in the third minute. Chay Fihaki broke the line from an inside ball, drawing the final defender before captain Will Jordan threw a looping pass over the top for winger Sevu Reece to dot down in the corner. It was a clinical set-piece move that set the tone for a devastating opening quarter.

Leicester Fainga’anuku crossed shortly afterwards in the 10th minute after Jamie Hannah produced a slick backdoor offload that released Fletcher Newell into a massive hole. The All Blacks prop carried hard before the ball was shifted wide, with Fainga’anuku powering over in the corner despite attention from two defenders.

Taylor’s quick-fire double from the rolling maul had the Crusaders racing the clock. His first, in the 14th minute, was his 50th try for the club — a fitting milestone on such a special night. Four minutes later he was over again from another lineout drive, the Crusaders’ pack proving irresistible at close quarters.

The best five-pointer of the opening spell came in the 22nd minute when Fainga’anuku produced an excellent cross-kick from inside his own half. Reece timed his leap perfectly, grabbed the ball above the covering defender, and touched down inside the corner flag for his second. The hosts led 31–0 after just 23 minutes.

The Drua didn’t roll over to allow their bellies to be tickled. Lock Joseva Tamani powered over from close range in the 30th minute to get the visitors on the board, though Fihaki responded quickly with a try two minutes later after Jordan breached the defence and Antonio Shalfoon provided the final pass.

A yellow card to openside flanker Johnny Lee in the 34th minute was the only dour note for the Crusaders in the first half. No 8 Elia Canakaivata capitalised on the numerical advantage three minutes later, finishing off a driving maul as the Drua showed their own prowess in that area. Referee Paul Williams issued a warning to Jordan that he was tiring of the ill-discipline, though the Crusaders went into half-time 38–12 ahead.

Taylor made it three just 90 seconds into the second half, picking from the base of a ruck and burrowing over from close range. The hooker completed his haul before the 50-minute mark with a fourth try — this time after Fainga’anuku produced a spellbinding run through the heart of the Drua defence before offloading to his teammate. Replaced to a rousing reception shortly afterwards, Taylor smiled like a fellow who had just been given a sack of Bluff oysters and a truckload of crayfish for each five-pointer.

The Drua kept adding to the scoreboard. Canakaivata crossed for his second in the 44th minute after halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa made the initial break, and then former Crusader Manasa Mataele produced a stunning individual effort to score against his old club in the 53rd minute. The winger’s return to Christchurch was marked with a fitting five-pointer that drew warm applause from the home crowd.

Corey Kellow crashed over in the 58th minute after sustained pressure near the line, before Fihaki intercepted a loose pass two minutes later and raced away untouched to score his second. The bonus point was well and truly wrapped up with 20 minutes to go.

The final quarter was a tame affair as both sides emptied their benches. Reece completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute when a gap opened in the Drua defence, and replacement prop Seb Calder crashed over in the dying seconds for the 11th try of the night.

Taylor summed up the emotion of the evening in his post-match interview.

“To go out like that on this stadium, to get the job done and to pull this jersey on for the 150th time, I’m just so grateful. I love this team. I love this club,” Taylor said.

“I don’t think us as Crusaders can say how much you guys actually mean to us and how much you’re a big part of the success we’ve had over the years, so thank you. This has been a place of bringing the community together. A place of hope and love and we’re just glad we get to represent you guys every week putting on the red and black jersey.”

The result lifts the Crusaders to fourth on the standings with a 4–3 record. They will embark on a two-week Australian trip to face the Queensland Reds and Western Force before opening their new home at One NZ Stadium, Te Kaha, as part of Super Round against the NSW Waratahs on April 24.

Teams

Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan (c), 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 Dallas McLeod, 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Louie Chapman, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Johnny Lee, 6 Corey Kellow, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Jack Sexton, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Dom Gardiner, 21 Mitch Drummond, 22 Rivez Reihana, 23 Braydon Ennor.

Fijian Drua: 15 Iliasia Droasese, 14 Joji Nasova, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Iosefo Namoce, 11 Manasa Mataele, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Etonia Waqa, 5 Isoa Nasilasila (c), 4 Joseva Tamani, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Haereiti Hetet.
Replacements: 16 Sairusi Ravudi, 17 Emosi Tuqiri, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Isoa Tuwai, 21 Phillip Baselala, 22 Kemu Valetini, 23 Isikeli Rabitu.

Match details

Crusaders 69 (Tries: Taylor 4, Reece 2, Fihaki 2, Fainga’anuku, Calder, Kellow; Conversions: Kemara 7/11)
Fijian Drua 26 (Tries: Canakaivata 2, Tamani, Mataele; Conversions: Armstrong-Ravula 3/4)
Half-time: 38–12

Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)

What’s next

The Crusaders travel to Australia for back-to-back matches against the Queensland Reds (Round 9) and Western Force (Round 10) before returning home to open One NZ Stadium, Te Kaha, as part of Super Round against the NSW Waratahs on April 24.

The Fijian Drua host the Highlanders in Suva in Round 9.