Crusaders cruise towards home semifinal with win

Crusaders winger Rico Gear equalled Joe Roff's Super 12 rugby season try-scoring record as his team dispatched the Hurricanes 40-20 in Christchurch tonight.

Gear scored a second half double among the Crusaders' six tries, equalling Roff's record of 14 set for the ACT Brumbies in 1997.

It helped the Crusaders to their ninth win from 11 matches this season as they tuned up for next weekend's home semifinal.

The Hurricanes, without captain Tana Umaga and loose forward Jerry Collins, were already guaranteed a top-four finish.

The hosts sealed their four-try bonus point in the 58th minute when flanker Johnny Leo'o crossed for his second try in three minutes.

But the score only blew out in the final quarter after an even first half when the hosts led 18-13 at the break.

The Hurricanes had 60 percent of first half possession and stole four of the Crusaders' lineouts against the throw, but had only a try to wing Lome Fa'atau from a Ma'a Nonu break to show for their first 40 minutes.

Crusaders halfback Justin Marshall was a standout, saving a certain try when he held up Rodney So'oialo over the goalline and also chopping down Nonu in sight of the line.

Marshall also disrupted Hurricanes ball around the rucks and scrums and sent Gear away for his first try with a slick short pass in the 68th minute.

The Crusaders scored their first try in the eighth minute when Aaron Mauger burst through and wing Scott Hamilton touched down in the corner.

Four tries in 15 minutes in the second half put the issue beyond doubt, soon after the Crusaders welcomed back replacement flanker Richie McCaw after a month out with concussion.

It didn't matter that Andrew Mehrtens had an off night with the boot, missing five shots at goal as regular kicker Daniel Carter was rested.

Rico Gear's brother Hosea Gear got a consolation try for the visitors with two minutes left.


Hurricanes' stand-in captain Rodney So'oialo said the Crusaders showed their class.


"In the second half they showed the sort of team they are. They punished us for leaving gaps, we were lacking both urgency and accuracy.


"The Crusaders showed they're a benchmark team and you can't afford to make errors."


Crusaders captain Rueben Thorne admitted it was a struggle in the first half.


"We worked for the five points and we got it."


Crusaders 40 (Johnny Leo'o 2, Rico Gear 2, Scott Hamilton, Caleb Ralph tries; Andrew Mehrtens 2 con, 2 pen)

Hurricanes 20 (Lome Fa'atau, Hosea Gear tries; Jimmy Gopperth 2 con, 2 pen).

Halftime: 18-13.

- NZPA