Relive 1 NEWS NOW's live updates of tonight's Super Rugby round 15 clash between the Crusaders and Hurricanes at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
FT: CRU 24-13 HUR
Crusaders hold the ball for the final two minutes and kick it into touch on the hooter. Well-earned win and played to the conditions. Rain got worse and worse as the night got on but they held their nerve and this make-shift forward pack has gotten the job done in the wet. That'll do it for us tonight. Enjoy your weekend!
78min: CRU 24-13 HUR
Hurricanes run it for 9 phases and finally go wide 30m out. But Barrett's pass is forward! That'll do it. Really poor pass really. Crusaders scrum 30m from their line.
75min: CRU 24-13 HUR
Crusaders pick and go for 10 phases before Drummond opts for a high kick. Hurricanes recover but as they try to go wide the ball goes in to touch. Crusaders lineout on halfway.
72min: CRU 24-13 HUR
HUR TRY! Hurricanes rumble in the midfield for 6 phases before it goes to Ardie Savea. He pops a short ball inside to Prinsep from 40m out and he's in a hole! Prinsep brushes off one, two and he's away to score under the posts! Is it enough to spark an insane rally? Eight minutes left...
69min: CRU 24-6 HUR
Couple of changes for both sides as we enter the final 10. Hurricanes have a scrum on halfway. They must strike now if they want to have a miracle's chance.
65min: CRU 24-6 HUR
CRU TRY! That could do it! Crusaders are in with a clever trick play at scrum time. Hall runs off the back of the scrum openside to draw attention and then its Bedwell-Curtis with the ball at the back attacking blindisde! Shrugs one off and he's in!
61min: CRU 17-6 HUR
WHAT A SHOCKER FROM WEST! The replacement Hurricanes first-five is in the pocket deep in the Hurricanes' in-goal and it goes to him off the scrum. He gets it clean but the Crusaders are rushing and it's come off the side of his boot! It doesn't even get out of the in-goal as it goes over the sideline! That means the Crusaders have a scrum 5m out!
60min: CRU 17-6 HUR
Jack Goodhue makes a barnstorming run off a lineout on the Hurricanes 22m! He breaks the line, shrugs off two, looks for support and tries to pop to Bridge but it goes to ground! Hurricanes scrum on their 5m.
58min: CRU 17-6 HUR
Mo'unga kicks for the corner off the scrum and it's a beauty! Perfect weight, no one back there and rolls into touch. Hurricanes with a lineout on their 5m.
56min: CRU 17-6 HUR
Both sides trade kicks early off the kickoff until the Hurricanes finally decide to try and run from outside their 22m. It goes to Lam and he tries to cut back inside and link up with Jordie but it goes to ground. Crusaders have the ball on half way when the ref stops the game with a Crusader down. Ennor is done for the night after rolling BOTH ankles in an ugly tackle. How unlucky can you get? Crusaders get a scrum on halfway for the restart.
53min: CRU 17-6 HUR
CRU TRY! Crusaders rumble over again! Alaalatoa gets the credit but the entire pack was in on the action. Hurricanes are going to need some discipline and possession to turn things around.
50min: CRU 10-6 HUR
Crusaders get another penalty off the lineout and this time it's Toomaga-Allen done for a high tackle. Same thing again, starts on the shoulder and rides up to the head - at least the referee is consistant with the call. Crusaders use the penalty to kick for touch and it's a lineout 5m from the Hurricanes' line.
49min: CRU 10-6 HUR
And straight off the kick off Savea is penalised for playing in the air. Another rough call as he was clearly going for the ball in the air and he's collided with a Crusader. Either way, Crusaders kick and get a lineout from on the Hurricanes' 10m.
48min: CRU 10-6 HUR
CRU THREE! Crusaders take the three on offer from the penalty and Mo'unga slots it.
47min: CRU 7-6 HUR
Crusaders go wide to the left after 11 phases and it's Havili for the corner but Savea wraps him up and into touch! What a try-saving tackle! Ref goes back for an offside advantage.
45min: CRU 7-6 HUR
Big chance for the Crusaders here. They clear from the scrum and earn a penalty at the following breakdown for not releasing. That leads to a lineout 10m from the Hurricanes line!
42min: CRU 7-6 HUR
Hurricanes get first attacking chance of the second half after they get a penalty for offside. That leads to a lineout inside the Crusaders half but a knock on soon after ruins that chance. Scrum for Crusaders 30m from their line.
40min: CRU 7-6 HUR
Back underway with Mo'unga's kick.
HT: CRU 7-6 HUR
The Crusaders try to drive again but it goes to ground and the ball can't get out. Ref blows the whistle and that'll do it for the half. Great job by the Hurricanes pack for holding out there. Could've been game changing considering how tight the game has been so far.
The scoreline is a perfect reflection of the game so far. Low scoring, physical affair in the wet but the Crusaders have held onto the ball just that little bit better. Still a massive second half in store. We'll be back soon for all the action!
40min: CRU 7-6 HUR
Crusaders are looking for five here. They've had two penalties and both times gone to the 5m line out despite the halftime hooter going. Shields is warned another penalty down here will result in a yellow card. Can the Crusaders convert the pressure before the half?
39min: CRU 7-6 HUR
Crusaders will get one last crack after another odd penalty. Initially its for a head high on Taminivalu but the ref says its actually for throwing him to the ground! Shields argues but to no aveil. Crusaders get a lineout 22m from Crusaders line.
37min: CRU 7-6 HUR
HUR THREE! Hurricanes cut the lead to one after Savea makes a strong run in the middle of the field. Powers for 20m after making the line break and is finally brought down 10m from the Crusaders' line. Quick recycle leads to an offside penalty advantage and the ref quickly comes back for it when an improvised cross kick goes astray. Barrett converts from out front with ease.
35min: CRU 7-3 HUR
Hurricanes try a cross kick off the scrum but it's knocked on. Crusaders try a kick of their own off the scrum but they can't control it and it rolls into the in-goal for a 22m dropout. Barrett thumps it deep, the two teams trade high kicks and the Crusaders knock it on on halfway! Scrum coming up for the Canes.
32min: CRU 7-3 HUR
Exciting couple of phases from both teams there as Mo'unga and Ennor combine on the right wing with a chip and chase to get inside the Hurricanes half. But Mo'unga gets brought down and Perenara turns it over. Hurricanes clear but Bridge takes it quickly! Crusaders on the run but it goes to ground. Hurricanes get a scrum just outside their 22m.
29min: CRU 7-3 HUR
Alaatoa is penalised for a high shot after the TMO intervines. Bit rough really. Initial contact is on the shoulder and it slips up in the wet as Riccitelli goes down. Nothing in it still. Still, ref agrees with the TMO and it's a Hurricanes lineout just outside the Crusaders' 22m.
27min: CRU 7-3 HUR
HUR THREE! Crusaders clear off the kickoff but are penalised at the ensuing lineout as Scott Barrett plays the man in the air. Jordie steps up on halfway and gets it! Way to respond there. Good bit of sibling rivalry going on!
25min: CRU 7-0 HUR
CRU TRY! The drive finally gets over! The initial maul off the lineout dies quickly but a few pick and goes later sees Scott Barrett get over the chalk. He'll be thanking his brother Jordie for getting him down there to score that!
22min: CRU 0-0 HUR
Things don't get much better for Jordie as he's penalised for a high tackle. Crusaders use the following penalty with a thumping punt from Mo'unga and now it's a lineout 5m from the Hurricanes line! Massive chance here!
21min: CRU 0-0 HUR
Crusaders survive again! Hurricanes go wide to the right wing and Savea is in space of Milner-Skudder's pass! But Savea runs out of space so he links up with Barrett inside him but the first five knocks it on! Crusaders set up once again from 10m off their line. Mo'unga looks to clear, does so but is cleaned out late by Jordie! Penalty to the Crusaders. Odd brain explosion from Jordie there. Instead of defending a lineout 20m off their line, The Crusaders have a lineout on halfway.
19min: CRU 0-0 HUR
Crusaders survive the attack as Barrett tries a grubber through the line but its picked up by Bridge with ease. Crusaders reset at the ruck 10m off their own line before Mo'unga clears. Hurricanes lineout on the Crusaders 22m coming up. Looks like Tim Bateman's night is done as well. He's got ice going on his hamstring.
17min: CRU 0-0 HUR
Hurricanes now have their first real attacking chance. They go to a high ball off the scrum and Havili knocks it on try to collect it! No advantage so its a Hurricanes scrum in the middle of the field on the Crusaders' 22m. Doesn't get much better for a set up than that.
15min: CRU 0-0 HUR
Both teams are really struggling to hold onto the pill so far tonight. Back-to-back lineouts are overthrown and the second one sees Barrett kick it off the ground for an impromptu grubber. He looks to chip it again on halfway but misses! Crusaders dive on it, look to recycle and knock it on. Hurricanes scrum on halfway.
12min: CRU 0-0 HUR
Crusaders try to maul but it goes to ground. Hurricanes swarm on the ball and the Crusaders are penalised for not releasing! Big chance goes begging with the Hurricanes' pack getting the job done.
11min: CRU 0-0 HUR
Toomaga-Allen is penalised at the scrum and it gives the Crusaders great attacking position! The have a lineout inside the Hurricanes' 22m now.
8min: CRU 0-0 HUR
Hurricanes rumble for 11 phases before looking to go wide but Shields knocks it on! Crusaders with a scrum on halfway.
5min: CRU 0-0 HUR
Crusaders get the first chance to score with a penalty after offside is called from the lineout but Mo'unga hooks it to the left! Wind is playing up here and it shows with Mo'unga right in front for that kick from 40m out.
4min: CRU 0-0 HUR
Hurricanes are penalised for not releasing and the Crusaders happily clear. They get a lineout just inside the Hurricanes half for their efforts.
2min: CRU 0-0 HUR
First handling error of the night and it's a knock on by the Crusaders. Tried to go wide to the right wing and the ball gets dropped cold. Hurricanes scrum 35 out from Crusaders line.
0min: CRU 0-0 HUR
Barrett gets things underway and Crusaders don't muck around clearing it from inside their 22m. Hurricanes with a lineout just inside Crusaders half and there's already an injury concern as Toby Smith has gone down.
7:30pm
Light drizzle on the pitch now as the teams make their way out onto the pitch. Moments away from kick off.
WEATHER
Light showers at the moment. Eight degrees. 20km/h winds from the south west.
PREVIEW
Tonight's game doesn't get much better - two in-form teams face off in a top-of-the-table clash that will likely decide the NZ conference.
But there's an extra opponent the Crusaders have had to overcome this week, with the sideline claiming six of their All Blacks due to numerous injuries and suspensions.
The Cantabrians are without Owen Franks, Joe Moody (both suspended), Tim Perry, Sam Whitelock, Jordan Taufua and Ryan Crotty for the match.
Perry and Taufua are the latest to be scratched from the Crusaders' roster due to injuries picked up at this week's All Blacks camp.
The Hurricanes have been forced to make a couple of changes as well - the most notable in the centres with Matt Proctor still recovering from a sternum injury.
That sees Jordie Barrett move to the centres in his first professional start at No.12 while Nehe Milner-Skudder shifts to cover things at the back and Julian Savea recalled to the starting XV on the wing.
Bot sides know what's at stake tonight with Crusaders coach Scott Robertson excited for his men to prove they can still hold their own.
"We coach and play for these big games and it doesn’t get much bigger than hosting the Hurricanes at home for a spot at the top of the New Zealand conference," he said on Wednesday.
"The boys have worked through their individual preparation well this week and our All Blacks joined us again this morning and brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm, so there is no shortage of motivation for this match and it’s going to be a great spectacle for fans on Friday night."
TEAMS
CRU: 15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Matt Todd (c), 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett
CRU subs: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Chris King, 18 Donald Brighouse, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor
HUR: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Jordie Barrett, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields (c), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Michael Fatialofa, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Toby Smith
HUR subs: 16 James O’Reilly, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Ben May, 19 Murray Douglas, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Jonah Lowe
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