Hurricanes coach Jason Holland is pleased to keep his side's Super Rugby Aotearoa title hopes alive with a rare win over the Crusaders in Christchurch.
The Hurricanes claimed a 34-32 win to snap the Crusaders' 36-game unbeaten streak at home, dating back to 2016, their last loss also coming at the hands of the Wellington franchise.
The Crusaders still remain atop the standings on 19 points, with a game in hand over the Hurricanes, who are three points behind, while the Blues are a further three points back.
Crusaders wing Sevu Reece almost stole victory with a late try in the corner, but Richie Mo'unga missed the sideline conversion that would have levelled the scores.
''We've walked out of here a few times over the last few years and felt like we were in the hunt, but we hadn't nailed a few things,'' says Holland.
"We knew the Crusaders were going to have their moments in the second half, but it was about how to stay composed and disciplined.
"It's something we will be proud of. I think we worry about ourselves massively.
"We were 0-2 a month ago. The boys came together and got tight, lifted our values a little bit.''
But the Hurricanes' win has come at a cost, with prop Fraser Armstrong and midfielder Ngani Laumape leaving injured.
Armstrong left the field in the first half, while Laumape suffered a suspected broken wrist in the second.
Holland is unsure of the extent of the injuries, but says it "takes a lot to get Ngani Laumape and Fraser Armstrong off the park".
Flanker Ardie Savea played in the Hurricanes side that last beat the Crusaders in Christchurch, although he isn't fussed about ending their impressive unbeaten streak at home.
"It's just another win for me," he says. "I didn't really take notice that the last time we won [here] was 2016.
"What I look back at is if we win this [competition], not that we won against the Crusaders at home.
"If we can keep going and win this competition, it will be a massive memory.''
Savea is proud of his teammates for their fighting spirit in the closing stages of the game, when the Crusaders threatened to snatch victory.
''We're pretty happy, but also pretty gutted for a few of our boys who have taken some serious injuries,'' he says.
"We just had to grind it out. I don't know, mate, when you are side-by-side with your teammate and you look in each other's eyes, you just feel it instantly."
The Hurricanes now go into their second bye week, while the Crusaders head up to Hamilton to take on the Chiefs at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday night.
Join us at 3:30pm Sunday for live updates of the Blues v Chiefs Super Rugby Aotearoa clash
