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Over the years, the Crusaders and Hurricanes have provided Super Rugby with one of its greatest rivalries, showering fans with big hits, blockbusting runs and spectacular tries.
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That rivalry will resume when the pair meet for a third explosive clash in 2018, with this weekend’s semi-final bearing extra significance. It’s win or go home.
After fans were treated to two tense encounters during the regular season – and the ledger sitting even at 1-1 – the prospect of a knockout game between the two has stolen headlines and captured imaginations, billed by some as the real grand final.
The record seven-time champion Crusaders are on the hunt for a second consecutive title, while the Hurricanes – semi-finalists for four years straight – are hoping to send off departing head coach Chris Boyd with another title to go alongside their maiden 2016 trophy.
But before we get to this weekend’s all-important clash, let’s revisit some of the brutal matches that have made this rivalry one to savour.
1999 Draw
The Crusaders hosted the Hurricanes in week four of the 1999 Super 12 season, for a clash that would essentially spark the rivalry between the two teams.
The Hurricanes were coming off a mediocre year and had stumbled out of the gates to start the season, while the Crusaders were fresh off their first Super Rugby title and rolling through the competition.
After opening the year with a pair of losses before getting back on track with a win over the eventual wooden spooners, the Hurricanes traveled to Jade Stadium and pushed the defending champions all the way to the limit.
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Hurricanes reserve five-eighth Mal Arnold landed a sideline conversion in the dying stages to earn his side an 18-18 draw and start turning the tables against a franchise they were yet to defeat.
After conceding their first three matches against the Crusaders prior to the 1999 draw, the Hurricanes would win the next two meetings after.
The Fog Final
The infamous 2006 season finale is that of legend. We don’t know a whole lot about this game, and can barely verify its actual existence. All we know for sure is that the Crusaders emerged from a heavy cloud of fog with the Super 12 trophy. And midfielder Casey Laulala apparently scored a try somewhere in between.
Despite being prefaced by Sky Sport commentator Grant Nisbett and Crusaders legend Richie McCaw as a beautiful, clear night, the blanket of fog that rolled in just before kickoff essentially eliminated visibility for spectators as the match came close to being postponed.
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The final scoreline was 19-12 in favour of the champion Crusaders, with the converted Laulala try proving the difference as Colin Cooper and the Hurricanes were left still searching for their first title.
Invading The Fortress And Bringing Home The Title
Over two years after their last victory at AMI Stadium, the Hurricanes are still the last team to beat the Crusaders in Christchurch.
The Hurricanes’ 35-10 victory in the final week of the 2016 regular season sparked their run to a maiden Super Rugby title.
Right in the thick of what was one of the tightest playoff races in recent memory – four competition points separated New Zealand’s top four teams – the Hurricanes’ picked up a record bonus-point win as a huge second half and 28 unanswered points awarded them home advantage for the playoffs.
The result put the rest of the competition on notice and the Hurricanes marched towards the 2016 crown, eventually defeating the Lions in the grand final.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X9295uiywA
2018 Split
Admittedly, the rivalry thus far – while often intense – has been a little one-sided on paper.
Of their 32 meetings, the Crusaders have won 20 times, and the teams have drawn twice.
But in 2018, things look as even as ever, with the sides each trading blows and holding court at home. The Hurricanes drew first blood, defeating the Crusaders 29-19 in week three before the latter returned the favour with a 24-13 triumph in week 15.
That makes their head-to-head points difference this season about as slim as it gets, with only one point separating the two teams.
The first clash of the year saw the Hurricanes race out to a 21-0 lead after 22 minutes thanks to a try from prop Chris Eves, a miracle offload from Jordie Barrett to TJ Perenara and a 60-metre Ben Lam scamper in front of a raucous home crowd. Matt Proctor put an exclamation point on a dominant team performance after he regathered a charged-down Mitchell Hunt clearance attempt and crashed over before the break.
Their second meeting of the season saw the Hurricanes travel to Christchurch – where the Crusaders have gone undefeated for the last two years – to try and snap their opponents’ 10-week winning streak.
All three Barretts scored in the first half, with Scott crossing for a try and Beauden and Jordie each kicking a penalty before the break.
Unfortunately for Hurricanes fans, the AMI Stadium fortress remained unscathed, with the Crusaders’ one-point halftime lead ballooning out to 18 as play neared the one-hour mark.
A spirited fightback was too little too late as the Hurricanes scored a 71st minute try but ultimately went down 24-13.
Saturday night’s semi-final will see another chapter written in one of Super Rugby’s fiercest rivalries, and settle the season series once and for all.
The hosting Crusaders have history on their side, as they are yet to lose a semi-final in Christchurch and have never lost to the Hurricanes in their four previous playoff meetings: the 2003 semi-final, 2005 semi-final, 2006 grand final and 2008 semi-final.
It remains to be seen whether history will repeat on Saturday night, but it can be assured there will be no love lost between two of Super Rugby’s most storied franchises.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
I totally agree. I also believe that minor injuries unless dangerous must be treared OFF the field of play and the game continue with a temp replacement if necessary.
2 Go to commentsSend the bill to McLennan.
3 Go to comments2 out of 3 were perfect. TMOs love jumping in on anything outside the law. The fact they saw nothing wrong speaks volumes. You want to see what a late blindside hit looks like, watch Kepu take out Carter in the 2015 World Cup final. Completely different to the Tah’s tackle.
11 Go to commentsverkeerde kant van die gereg lol
5 Go to commentsJust like John Plumtree at the Sharks he has had a poor start to this season’s coaching gig, but now it looks like he is starting to pull them back also having won 1 game in the first Eleven games they played. It obviously helps that 11 of his fifteen are Springbok players. But now they are starting to improve. No ways they can make it to the playoffs this year but they probably used this season as a way to figure out their game plan. One query I have and I think quite a few people have is: Are they playing better simply because of their international players are back or is it the team strategy led by Rob Penney that is starting to tick? Well I guess we wait and see. Also if it doesn't work out this season, it might be that Rob Penney is using this season as a way to organize himself for next season. Getting all his combinations sorted, his team strategies sorted and figuring out who is best is which position. Now I don't follow Super Rugby any more having now a full focus in the URC but I was surprised about the current Crusaders stats.
10 Go to commentsIf I’m a little bloke, who’s just had possession of the ball, I should expect to get cleaned up by Samipeni Finau if he’s opposite me and I do nothing to avoid him. FTFY You’ll need to rewrite the rest of your article now Hamish Bidwell. I’m not sorry for having missed reading this one. I find it hilarious it’s only the static aussie 10s, just waiting there, that are getting smashed. Move on your feet guys, haven’t you watched DMac and Mounga play for the last decade ffs. Chin up, at least your smiles should return when BB returns to SR next year and there’s more 10s to the fodder.
11 Go to commentsFinau is not leaving a lot of room for error that’s true, but he committed to 3 out of four tackles when the player had the ball so that’s all legal. (And incredibly entertaining)
11 Go to commentsHow does the size of the ‘bloke being hit’ factor into this? If you’re on the opposing team you are fair game. Is Finau the first person in history to target the first five? It seems like this is a great strategy to interrupt your opponents attack. As far as I’m aware, of the four excellent hits on Aussie first fives this year only one of them was ruled late. So if crying about legal tackles isn’t whingeing, then what is it?
11 Go to commentsThings I want to pay attention to this series. 1) Nothing against the other teams in 6 nations, but apart from Irelands loss to england, I dont feel they got tested, So I think this might be tight. 2) Rassie wants to build depth, and would rather do it before a world cup, but I am sure deep inside, he will be reminded that we have not beaten Ireland in years. 3) Will our new coaches plans be sound abd organised in time for the Ireland series? Remember our warm ups might only see our second or third string players available (When are we going to have one universal calander year?) 4) I see Ireland have moved on from Sexton, but what will Farrels plans be for SA? I am sure he will go for a full strength squad. 5) I think the test for the springboks will be the Durban game, it will be in winter, so not too hot for the Irish,no altitude, and it rains allot, might remind them of home. Loftus, if the springboks play the right game, I feel altitude like with most games before, can cause some challanges. 6) Off topic, but who is both Anxious and excited about what the Abs are coming with? A whole new coaching team and different style of play.
119 Go to commentsMost underrated player in world rugby.
2 Go to commentsHow many fans will travel to Qatar to watch these games ? because if they dont, it will be played in front of a few disinterested unknowledgeable Qataris and then just becomes media ‘content’. Thats what Test rugby will be reduced to.
1 Go to commentsSo as long as the playmaker still has the ball IN his hands, its OK. Otherwise the timing is wrong and he’s a liability. No grey line there. Thats the rule he is advocating ? Got it.
11 Go to commentsWrite them off at your peril
10 Go to commentsJust fantastic that the professional game is finally being taken to the Pacific islands. Not before time. It justifies the mere existence of Moana as a club, hopefully they can start to get some positive results too. Check out the sheer joy of the crowds in Fiji and the buzz that having a home team creates. Tonga always had (has ?) issues with their ground not complying with International rugby standards, which NZ always used as an excuse for many years not bringing the All Blacks over. Hopefully this match is the first of many. Would be great to see some tourism grow on the back of it. I once went to the Cook Islands Sevens in Rarotonga - tiny island nation but man did they turn it on. Tonga and Samoa will too given half a chance.
1 Go to commentsQuite right. Punish the time wasters. Its BS these time delays for non-injuries. The Boks have been using it for years now to slow down opposition and now its a scourge on the game. Put players like DeGroot on the sideline and restart play immediately. Watch how 5-6 min to fix your boots quickly becomes 1-2 minutes. Better still how about some personal professional management and you check the conditions/turf beforehand and get yourself better prepared. It might even help your team.
2 Go to commentsWhat drivel. Rugby as a contact sport should not be further diminished by crying over legal hard tackles. Take on the line? Be ready to take the hit. This is PC nonsense.
11 Go to commentsGregor Paul is going to be proved totally wrong. The Crusaders will get in the top 8 and are capable of winning this comp. The return of magnificent captain and player Scott Barrett on Friday was huge. There are a number of players returning and Ethan Blackadder showed huge progression in only his third game back. Christian Lio-Willie has added a new dimension , these two’s combination with Cullen Grace was fantastic. This builds depth when you have outstanding players like Tom Christie and Dom Gardiner also available. The tight five improved ten fold and this is with Tamaiti Williams and Codie Taylor being back.Others are set to return. Johnny McNicoll on his return home has been a revelation. Paul can dismiss Fridays win by the Crusaders as much as he likes and he will prove very popular in this country in doing so. But he will be proved wrong , Rob Penney and his coaching team will have the last laugh.
10 Go to commentsI haven’t seen or heard to many whinging about Finau quite the opposite. The TMO’s have reviewed each time and taken no action, so if they have now been alerted it’s not from people whinging The player comes flying out of the line and launches himself at the attacker so it is probably ruled as a committed tackle, but at what point does it move to tackling a player without the ball Time will tell
11 Go to commentsThis cracked media record of aligning success or failure on head coaches is remarkable. Using the crusaders past history as an example, a more sensible observation and analysis could be that the recent head coaches had inherited a extremely successful combination of players linked to their traditional historical support of the Canterbury people. That period ended this year when the new coach was introduced to virtually a new team. And in a year where other franchises have grown much stronger than their respective past, it was always an anticipated reality that the coach and his new crusader team were up against it. Therefore, I humbly believe that unlike some commentators present, I laud coach Penny and the team for their efforts to date and I am sure given another term and with Canterbury behind them they will be riding high once more. Strange all this coming from me who lives in Taupo and a one eyed chiefs supporter. Can't wait for all future chiefs and crusader games!
10 Go to commentsGrt bench player..keep him there..
3 Go to comments