Super Rugby: Alapati Leiua's interception seals victory for the Hurricanes
The Hurricanes snatched their first victory of the Super Rugby season with a stunning 29-28 success over the Crusaders.
Last Updated: 08/03/13 9:40am
The Hurricanes had been outscored four tries to two by the Canterbury franchise but the deadly accuracy of Beauden Barrett proved vital.
The young fly-half kept the scoreboard ticking over with five penalties, while he added two conversions for a personal haul of 19 points.
Julian Savea scored a trademark blockbusting try, brushing aside Tom Marshall and bumping off Israel Dagg, while Alapati Leiua snaffled a late interception to seal the win. Crusaders full-back Dagg was guilty of throwing a wild pass wide and Leiua read it well to score.
It was tough on the Crusaders, who had seemed on course for their opening win as they led 28-19.
Ryan Cotty's moment of brilliance - in which the centre held off the attempted tackles of Jason Eaton, Barrett, Tim Bateman and Leiua - saw them score their first try of 2013.
Corey Flynn's close-range drive and Dagg's opportunist effort - when he fly-hacked the ball from the Crusaders 22 after Bateman coughed up possession - had moved the Crusaders clear, while Dan Carter secured the bonus point.
Carter, who scored all 15 points in the loss to the Blues, weighed in with 13 points in total however he crucially missed a late drop-goal effort that would have won the game.
