Rugby: Crusaders battle past dogged Hurricanes

Tom Marshall of the Crusaders is tackled by Alapati Leiua of the Hurricanes. Photo / Getty Images

Crusaders 16
Hurricanes 9

The Crusaders have overcome a determined Hurricanes side to win 16-9 at Westpac Stadium and take out the New Zealand Super 15 conference.

Todd Blackadder's side, playing as the 'home' team on a slippery Wellington pitch, battled in the rain but were more than matched by the Hurricanes.

The opening thirty minutes featured some heavy hitting from both sides, with a fired-up Ma'a Nonu thumping Robbie Fruean on the touchline with 24 minutes played.

Super 15 standings

Dan Carter and Aaron Cruden bagged a pair of penalties each to send the teams into half-time locked at 6-6.

For the second week running, the Crusaders bolted out of the blocks for the second half.

Zac Guildford received the ball on the half way and bisected the Hurricanes with his electric pace, stepping inside Weepu and fending off Jack Lam. The offload to Fruean was spot-on and the Crusaders centre touched down in the corner.

Aaron Cruden reduced the deficit with a penalty on 52 minutes and ten minutes later the Hurricanes came close to scoring their first try.

Stringing a series of passes together, Cruden looked to place the ball down in the corner but was completely up-ended by a crunching Tom Marshall hit.

Moments later, the outstanding Andy Ellis pushed a beautifully-weighted drop-kick over from about 45m to give the Crusaders a vital three points and a 16-9 lead.

Neemia Tialata and Andrew Hore, both making their last appearance for the Wellington side, received standing ovations when they were substituted in the second half.

Hore told Sky Sports he hoped to come back to Wellington one day to watch the Hurricanes "rock on".

"A few of us certainly didn't want to leave on other people's terms and we have to, so we're going to pick up our lips and carry on."

CRUSADERS 16 (Robbie Fruean try; Daniel Carter 2 pen, con; Andy Ellis dg) HURRICANES 9 (Aaron Cruden 3 pen). Halftime: 6-6.

- Herald Online