Cape Town - The Crusaders have handed out a lesson in how to play in the rain in their New Zealand Super Rugby derby against the Hurricanes in Christchurch on Friday.
As it happened: Crusaders v Hurricanes
The eight-time Super Rugby champions won 24-13 in a one-sided contest played in 80 minutes of continuous rain, having led 7-6 at half-time.
The Crusaders, despite missing a host of star names - including skipper Sam Whitelock - scored three tries through lock Scott Barrett, prop Michael Alaalatoa and flank Heiden Bedwell-Curtis. Flyhalf Richie Mo'unga added all three conversions and a penalty.
The Hurricanes, who were looking for a third consecutive victory in Christchurch, replied with a solitary try by replacement loose forward Reed Prinsep. Flyhalf Beauden Barrett added the conversion and a penalty, while brother Jordie made it a clean-sweep of Barretts on the scoreboard with a penalty of his own.
The Crusaders picked up four points for their victory to extend their lead atop both the New Zealand Conference and Overall log, while the Hurricanes left empty-handed, but remained second and fourth in the New Zealand Conference and Overall log, respectively.
In next weekend's Round 16 action, the Crusaders travel to Waikato to play the Chiefs (Saturday, June 2 at 09:35 SA time), while the Hurricanes visit Dunedin to tackle the Highlanders (Friday, June 1 at 09:35 SA time).
Teams:
Crusaders
15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Chris King, 18 Donald Brighouse, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor
Hurricanes
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 (captain), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Michael Fatialofa, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Toby Smith
Substitutes: 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