The Crusaders take out the first win of the Super Rugby season, beating the Hurricanes 33-25. Video / Sky Sport
Crusaders 33
Hurricanes 25
An influential All Blacks contingent has inspired the Crusaders to a stirring season-opening victory – with the assistance of a Wallabies veteran.
Will Jordan, Sevu Reece and David Havili all fired in Christchurch to extinguish an overmatched but encouraged Hurricanes, who led for most the contest before James O’Connor came off the bench to help decide a thrilling Kiwi derby.
“It doesn’t come out as often but when it does, the knees are still all right,” the 34-year-old told Sky Sport. “I’m feeling good. I’m feeling young.”
O’Connor made 130 Super Rugby appearances for three Australian teams before crossing the Tasman to add experience – and a bit of flair – to a Crusaders side who based on last season needed all the help they could get.
After stumbling to a ninth-placed finish that raised questions about Rob Penney’s future, the early signs indicated that season would prove an aberration for the 14-time champions.
Along with O’Connor’s deft touch to set up the go-ahead try, victory was sparked by two more players absent for the annus horribilis.
Wellington halfback Kyle Preston was introduced for his debut inside 10 minutes and nabbed a hat-trick, while Jordan showed just how sorely he was missed while stuck on the sidelines throughout the previous campaign.
The fullback was pivotal throughout, reading the game with the right decision whether in possession or support. Jordan combined with the dependable Havili and an electric Reece to create a third try that will take some topping this season, as two canny kicks were matched by two incisive chases before Preston dotted down.
The replacement halfback headed south after seeing his route to the Hurricanes No 9 jersey blocked by Cam Roigard, only to outshine the All Black after Noah Hotham had limped off in the opening exchanges.
Having entered the match missing 13 players through injury, Penney must have been wondering what more could go wrong, with an overflowing casualty ward also accruing blame for last year’s misery.
The coach would have been equally vexed by the way his charges began the new year, rust having evidently crept into their copy of the rule book.
Rob Penney with new recruit James O'Connor. Photo / Photosport
Repeated infringing saw Scott Barrett banished to the sin bin in the fourth minute and allowed the Hurricanes to seize control of a first half in which they started fast and ended with a flurry.
The home crowd had only a couple of moments to shout about as the visitors established an eight-point halftime lead. One of those moments did, however, last 19 phases and feature a level of physicality and accuracy that suggested these Crusaders were a much different prospect to 2024.
The performance was hardly flawless – the Hurricanes exposed their defence around the edges and flourished from Crusaders turnovers. But when the hosts did hold the ball, their attack was varied and clinical, methodically unlocking an inexperienced opposing backline.
“The first half straight away set the standards – the team that held the ball the most and were the most physical got over,” O’Connor said of his initial derby experience. “Then in that second half, we turned it around by completing a little bit more.”
Young first-five Taha Kemara played his part in an impressive outing, despite being largely denied the services of his Hamilton Boys’ High halves partner.
Once Kemara followed Hotham to the bench midway through the second spell, O’Connor wasted little time in providing a decisive contribution, slipping Jordan through a hole before Reece handed the Crusaders their first lead.
Judging by the number of match-winners on the park – along with another couple on the road to recovery – they will expect to spend plenty more time ahead on the scoreboard.
Crusaders 33 (Kyle Preston 3, Cullen Grace, Sevu Reece tries; Taha Kemara 2 cons, James O’Connor 2 cons)
Hurricanes 25 (Jacob Devery 2, Kini Naholo tries; Harry Godfrey 2 cons, pen, Callum Harkin pen)
