KEY POINTS:
All Black flanker Jerry Collins was taken from Jade Stadium last night on a stretcher, his immediate playing future in doubt after he damaged his neck in a sickening midfield collision.
The accident happened soon after halftime when Collins' neck snapped back as he went to complete a double-tackle on Crusaders midfielder Rua Tipoki. The serious injury cast a shadow over the grand final rematch before the champions triumphed yet again.
Collins was conscious and talking to medical staff soon after he was taken from the field. He said he heard a noise in his neck and decided to stay still until assistance arrived and he was taken to hospital for tests.
The All Black blindside flanker has suffered a series of major injuries at the same ground including a broken leg in his first NPC game for Wellington in 1999 and a cracked shoulder on his All Black debut in 2001.
Collins has also had a series of neck and shoulder problems in recent seasons including one which curtailed his start to the 2005 year while he also had corrective surgery this year on his shoulder.
While Collins' damage was accidental, teammate and fellow All Black Ma'a Nonu drew self-inflicted harm when he was sinbinned for a repeat tackle without arms and then on the evidence of touch judge Steve Walsh following up with obscenities at the linesman.
When Nonu was cleared to return, coach Colin Cooper sacked him and sent former All Black skipper Tana Umaga into the game.
All that drama occurred in a bruising, tense third quarter of the match as the sides bashed and counter-attacked without any returns. Eventually as the sides battled into the last quarter, the Hurricanes conceded several penalties and Daniel Carter kicked two goals.
Most of the All Blacks who had been on the reconditioning programme upped their game although injured lock Chris Jack watched the match with his moment in the spotlight coming today when he confirms his departure to the Saracens club after the World Cup.
The game was a massive struggle, a brutal defensive assault as the Hurricanes, in their last tilt at making the playoffs questioned the Crusaders' supremacy. The Hurricanes had only won three times against the Crusaders since Super rugby began and only once at Jade Stadium.
But it was the Crusaders, shooting for their 26th straight win at home who were calm enough to deal with the fiery Hurricanes and had Carter's boot to deliver the death blows.
The Hurricanes made an untidy start in their bid to beat the Crusaders in Christchurch for the first time since 2001. Piri Weepu had his clearing kick charged down near his 22 and then the forwards had a couple of scratchy lineouts.
Then the Crusaders who were looking more organised, more in tune with the game, lost their way for a spell.
Crusaders 23 (C. Flynn, R. Filipo, tries; D. Carter, 2 con, 3 pen).
Hurricanes 13 (M. Nonu, try; P. Weepu 2 pen, con). Halftime 17-13.
