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Cape Town - The Crusaders have kept their slim playoff hopes alive with victory over the table-topping Hurricanes in Nelson on Friday.
As it happened: Crusaders v Hurricanes
The Crusaders won 35-18 after leading 16-8 at half-time.
The Crusaders scored four tries through scrumhalf Mitchell Drummond, wings Nafi Tuitavake and Nemani Nadolo and flank Matt Todd. Flyhalf Dan Carter was on target with three conversions as well as three penalties for a personal haul of 15 points.
The Hurricanes replied with tries by hooker Dane Coles and flank Ardie Savea. Flyhalf Otere Black added a conversion and two penalties.
The Crusaders picked up a full-house of five points for their victory, but stayed fourth in the New Zealand Conference. They did however move ahead of the Bulls into eighth position in the Overall standings.
The Hurricanes left empty-handed, but stayed top of the New Zealand Conference and Overall log.
In next weekend's Round 17 action, the Crusaders travel to Auckland to face the Blues (Saturday, June 6 at 09:35), while the Hurricanes host the Highlanders in Napier (Friday, June 5 at 09:35).
Teams:
Crusaders15 Tom Taylor, 14 Nafi Tuitavake, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 David Havili, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Matt Todd, 5 Luke Romano, 4 Jimmy Tupou, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Alex Hodgman
Substitutes: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Dominic Bird, 20 Luke Whitelock, 21 Andy Ellis, 22 Kieron Fonotia, 23 Jone Macilai
Hurricanes
15 James Marshall, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith (captain), 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Otere Black, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Reggie Goodes
Substitutes: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Ben May, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Victor Vito, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Rey Lee-Lo, 23 Matt Proctor
