Super Rugby leaders Hurricanes beat Crusaders 29-23 to stay top
Last Updated: 04/05/15 11:17am
Wellington Hurricanes stayed top of the Super Rugby standings with a 29-23 victory over Canterbury Crusaders on Saturday.
Two second-half tries were enough to give the Hurricanes a bonus-point win that leaves seven-time winners Canterbury in real danger of missing out on the play-offs for the first time since 2001.
The Crusaders remain ninth, but they pushed their hosts all the way after Dan Carter finished off Colin Slade's good work to touch down under the posts two minutes in.
Beauden Barrett, who went off injured late in the game, staked his own claim for the New Zealand No 10 shirt with an 80-yard breakaway score in reply.
A first half of ebb-and-flow then saw two more tries exchanged, Conrad Smith and Ardie Savea combining to put Brad Shields in before Slade sliced through for the Crusaders,
Successful kicks from Slade and Barrett made it 17-17 at the break, and although a Slade penalty put the visitors in front after the restart it was the league eladers who pulled away as the second half wore on.
Tries from Reggie Goodes and Blade Thomson proved the difference in the end, although the Hurricanes had to survive a post-hooter onslaught before a knock-on brought relief.
Victory moved the home side 11 points clear of the second-placed ACT Brumbies at the top.