Hurricanes Beat Crusaders 38-31 in Super Rugby Derby
The Hurricanes beat the Crusaders 38-31 in super rugby Pacific at Hnry Stadium in Wellington on Friday. It was their eighth win of the season, and it came against the defending champions in a New Zealand derby that kept turning after halftime.
The scoreboard flipped on a sequence of tries that never let either side settle. Cam Roigard scored and set up another, while the Hurricanes outscored the Crusaders five tries to four to protect the two-score cushion they built before the break.
Roigard drives Hurricanes
Cam Roigard was central to the result. The Hurricanes scrum-half gained 33 metres, made six runs, scored a try and provided a try assist, giving his side control in a match that stayed open until the closing stages.
Du’Plessis Kirifi put the Hurricanes on the board midway through the opening half, then Josh Moorby and Roigard struck late before half-time to push the hosts to a 24-10 lead. Ruben Love added the extras before the teams traded penalties with Taha Kemara, and the sides were level at 10-10 after 34 minutes.
Fainga’anuku answers early
Leicester Fainga’anuku gave the Crusaders the first punch after eight minutes, opening the scoring from a backline-to-forwards shift that had drawn plenty of attention. He was one of their better players, even after being replaced later in the match.
That first try never settled the Crusaders for long. Noah Hotham, who made 21 metres, scored a converted try shortly after the restart and later added a try, finishing with 10 tackles as he tried to keep the visitors within reach.
Late tries, no comeback
The Hurricanes kept answering. Raymond Tuputupu scored in the 53rd minute, Rivez Reihana replied five minutes later for the Crusaders, and Fehi Fineanganofo added the Hurricanes' fifth try in the 65th minute. Dom Gardiner scored late for the visitors, but the gap never fully closed.
For the Hurricanes, the result turns a high-scoring derby into a season marker: eight wins, a 38-31 finish, and a roadblock removed against the defending champions. For the Crusaders, the evening offered points and pace, but not the finish they needed after trailing 24-10 at half-time.
