The Hurricanes have snapped the Crusaders' 36-game unbeaten streak at home with a 34-32 win that has blown the Super Rugby Aotearoa race wide open.
In a breathless encounter that swung back and forth, the Hurricanes maintained their composure down the stretch, repelling waves of attack from the desperate southerners to secure a victory for the ages.
A win would have gone a long way to putting one Crusaders hand on the title, the race to which is now wide open for all but the winless Chiefs.
Relentless No.8 Ardie Savea and blockbusting midfielder Peter Umaga-Jensen led the way for the men from the capital. Crusaders' Sevu Reece had one of his best Super Rugby Aotearoa performances, while Sam Whitelock and Richie Mo'unga kept their supreme form rolling.
The hosts opened the try-scoring through a nifty set play in the 17th minute, as Jack Goodhue drew two defenders at first receiver and found Mo'unga on the loop, who accelerated through the line and reached out to score.
The Hurricanes replied five minutes later, when the outstanding Peter-Umaga-Jensen burst through a hole and sent Wes Goosen over untouched.
Ten minutes before the half, Bryn Hall worked Sevu Reece into acres of space with the goal line looming, and the Fijian launched a speculative wide ball that fell to the feet of the storming George Bridge. Bridge only managed to get a toe to the ball, though it somehow turned into a perfect chip over the top for him to regather and score.
Again, the Hurricanes were quick with their response, as Jordie Barrett - after a bullocking Asafo Aumua charge - fired a laser skip pass to Goosen in space, for the South African to seal a brace and send his side into the sheds with a 21-17 lead.
Entering the second half, the Crusaders came out with a new sense of purpose, dominating territory and possession but unable to find the tryline against a staunch Hurricanes defence.
Completely against the run of play, Barrett's 58th minute long-range penalty added to the Hurricanes' advantage.
Moments later, Umaga-Jensen carried defenders with him to finish superbly in the corner, and Barrett's ensuing sideline conversion put his team up by 11 points, the biggest margin of the game for either side.
But the Crusaders were far from done. Quinten Strange capped off a trademark tryline raid by the red and black forwards to bulldoze over the chalk.
After Barrett's boot had given the Hurricanes a seven-point buffer with as many minutes to play, a moment of Mo'unga magic sent Reece over out wide, only for the pivot's sidleine conversion to graze the outer upright.
With time almost up, Will Jordan sparked a sideline surge that had the Crusaders back into Hurricanes' territory, only for a defensive penalty to seal their fate.
Hurricanes 34 (Wes Goosen 2, Peter Umaga-Jensen tries; Jordie Barrett 5 pens, 2 cons) Crusaders 32 (Richie Mo’unga, George Bridge, Quinten Strange, Sevu Reece tries; Mo’unga 2 pens, 3 cons)
More to come
