Super Rugby Aotearoa round 2 review

Hurricanes vs Crusaders

Good weather blessed the Sky Stadium in Wellington for the second match of round 2, with the Crusaders coming in from their bye week to take on the Hurricanes.

‘Canes 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop kicked off, but the Crusaders’ built-up energy showed as they struck within the first minute through try-machine Sevu Reece. This followed some excellent build-up play, with quick ball and offloading. All-Black 10 Mo’unga converted from the touchline to put the Christchurch side 7-0 up.

Garden Bachop scored a penalty for the ‘Canes, but the Crusaders’ skills showed, when scrum-half Bryn Hall delivered a sublime grubber kick into the arms of centre Braydon Ennor- who touched down in the corner. 3-12.

Garden Bachop scored another two penalties and a drop goal, with the ‘Canes applying pressure and coming close a few times. In the 31st minute, however, standout Crusaders fullback Will Jordan kicked a sublime high ball, which was fumbled by his opposite man Tiatia, and he regained through prop Joe Moody to give a brilliant offload onto centre Jack Goodhue who scored under the posts. Another penalty was added for the ‘Canes by Garden Bachop, so at Half Time it was Hurricanes 15-19 Crusaders.

The ‘Canes started well after the break, with a hoof upfield from winger Wes Goosen landing awkwardly in the Crusaders 22’. This resulted in another penalty from the high-quality Garden-Bachop taking the scores to 18-19. Crusaders centre Goodhue was then sin-binned for repeated infringements by the team.

A further penalty was scored by Mo’unga, until the 62nd minute where a great try was scored by ‘Canes replacement hooker Asafo Aumua following a charge by wing Ben Lam. The sides were equal following the conversion by Garden Bachop at 25-25.

This didn’t last long though, as the quality Mo’unga capitalised on a ‘Canes error to score in the corner and he converted his own try to take the score to 25-32. The win was sealed for the Crusaders through a hard line ran by replacement centre David Havili, who scored in the 75th minute and it was again converted by Mo’unga. FT 25-39

It was another action-packed game in Super Rugby Aotearoa as the Crusaders established themselves after their bye week. Their strong defence kept the ‘Canes at bay, whilst a clinical attack guaranteed tries. The Hurricanes endured a second defeat in a row, with try-scoring still an issue. Overall a highly entertaining game that boded well for the rest of the tournament.