Crusaders back to winning ways, thrash Hurricanes

Wellington - Defending Super Rugby champions the Crusaders bounced back from a rare loss to down the Hurricanes 32-8 in the New Zealand capital on Friday.

As it happened: Hurricanes v Crusaders

Normal service was resumed as the Crusaders scored four tries to one, making amends for a defeat to the Waratahs last week that broke a 19-match winning streak.

The Crusaders scoreline included a double for David Havili, who was denied a hat-trick by a forward pass.

All Blacks captain Kieran Read made his first appearance of the season in the No 8 shirt for the Crusaders but sat out the second half with an apparent thigh strain.

Crusaders captain Sam Whitelock said his team had a point to prove after last week's loss.

"We looked at ourselves pretty heavily, our decision-making and how we play," he said.

"I thought tonight we controlled the ball better and it allowed us to play when we wanted."

The Hurricanes dominated the early exchanges but the Crusaders scored the first try when Will Jordan chased down Bryn Hall's cross-field kick in the corner.

Winger Havili then gathered his own kick, after Hurricanes defender Ben Lam fumbled his catch, to cross for the Crusaders' second try.

Ngani Laumape clawed one back for the Hurricanes but a Richie Mo'unga penalty gave the Crusaders a 17-8 lead at half-time.

Havili scored his second soon after the restart and Braydon Ennor added another as the Crusaders took control, making it 29-8.

Another Mo'unga penalty sealed the win, with the Hurricanes just failing to score a try in the game's final moments.

The Crusaders picked up a full-house of five points for their victory to stretch their lead atop both the New Zealand Conference and Overall log.

The Hurricanes left empty-handed, but stayed second and fourth in the NZ Conference and Overall standings, respectively.

In next weekend's Round 8 action, the Crusaders welcome the Brumbies to Christchurch (Saturday, April 6 at 06:15 SA time), while the Hurricanes visit Dunedin to take on the Highlanders (Friday, April 5 at 08:35 SA time).

Scorers:

Hurricanes 8 (8)

Try: Ngani Laumape

Penalty: Jordie Barrett

Crusaders 32 (17)

Tries: Will Jordan, David Havili (2), Braydon Ennor

Conversions: Richie Mo'unga (3)

Penalties: Mo'unga (2)

Teams:

Hurricanes

15 Chase Tiatia, 14 Jordie Barrett, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara (captain), 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Liam Mitchell, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Ben May, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Fraser Armstrong

Substitutes: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Richard Judd, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Wes Goosen

Crusaders

15 David Havili, 14 Braydon Ennor, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Will Jordan, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 5  Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Harry Allan