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Hurricanes 27 Crusaders 26
Hurricanes - Proctor, Roigard, Moorby & Iose tries; Barrett penalty, Cameron 2 conversions
Crusaders - Fainga'anuku, Taylor, Ennor & Fihaki tries; Mo'unga 2 conversions
Fulltime
40th minute - Proctor carries into the 22, but the ball goes astry and Fainga'anuku comes away. Crusaders win a clearing penalty and Mo'ugan finds touch on the Hurricanes 10, as the final siren sounds.
Strange wins the lineout and Crusaders surge upfield. Proctor is penalised in midfield and Mo'unga kicks to the corner.
TRY to Fihaki
Barrett wins the lineout and Crusaders maul towards the tryline. Lam releases to the backs and Fihaki finishes in the right corner.
Mo'unga converts from the sideline to end the game, HUR 27-26
39th minute - Crusaders knock on on their 10, so Hurricanes scrum feed in midfield.
From the scrum, Proctor carries strongly, followed by Savea.
38th minute - Hurricanes win the lineout, but the Crusaders steal in the ball in midfield.
37th minute - Hurricanes win a scrum penalty and Cameron kicks to touch near the Crusaders 22.
36th minute - Mo'unga kicks off, but the Crusaders knock on in their chase.
33rd minute - Barrett throws a pass behind Jordan, who knocks on on Crusaders 22.
TRY to Iose
The No.8 runs off the scrum on the 22 and his speed takes him to the corner, leaving two tacklers behind him. Cameron misses his sideline conversion, HUR 27-19
32nd minute - Barrett makes ground down the left sideline, his offload goes astray, but Moorby kicks ahead. Mo'unga covers the threat.
31st minute - From the kickoff, Sullivan kicks downfield and finds touch inside Crusaders half. Joel Lam makes his Super Rugby debut at halfback for the Crusaders.
29th minute - TRY to Moorby
Hurricanes eventually shift left, where Cameron offloads and Moorby uses his pace to beat his marker on the outside and slide over in the tackle. Cameron converts from the sideline, HUR 22-19
28th minute - Hurricanes have penalty advantage near the tryline, Roigard tries to put Barrett over, but the pass bounces away.
Cameron kicks to the corner, Hurricanes win the lineout and Devery breaks away from the maul. Sangster carries powerfully - twice.
27th minute - Hurricanes again building phases, Crusaders again tackling near their own line. Barrett fakes a kick and tries to break the defence.
26th minute - Iose runs off the back fo the scrum and Savea drives towards the tryline.
25th minute - McAlister stays on the field to replace Taylor and Havili Talitui replaces Lio-Willie, who has been on the sideline.
24th minute - Hurricanes look left, as they keep the ball in hand. Pickerill has the Crusaders for a no-arms tackle.
23rd minute - From the lineout, Barrett tries to crash in midfield and Hurricanes build phases.
22nd minute - Roigard bursts upfield from the ruck on halfway and Sullivan is in support, but Crusaders turn the ball over near their own line. Fainga'anuku kicks to touch, but Hurricanes are still hot on attack.
21st minute - From the kickoff, Hurricanes control the ball and Roigard kicks high. Crusaders have the ball on halfway.
19th minute - TRY to Roigard
Devery throws short and gets the ball back, offloading to Roigard, as the Hurricanes enter the 22. Barrett and Savea combine in centrefield, before the captain slips a pass to his halfback to score.
Cameron takes over the goal-kicking from Barrett, who was also wayward last week - he converts, CRU 19-15
18th minute - Cameron kicks across the field for Sinkinson, who is unmarked on the right wing, but the ball bounces into touch. Barrett wins the lineout and Chapman clears to the Crusaders 10.
17th minute - From the scrom, Naholo storms up centrefield, towards the 22.
16th minute - Coles exits the game, replaced by Devery. He bids farewell to the Wellington crowd for the last time. Franks replaces Lomax in the front row.
15th minute - From the scrum, the Hurricanes shift left across the 22, but can't find a way through and the Crusaders steal the ball.
14th minute - Hurricanes opt for a scrum, which means McAlister has to come on at hooker and Lio-Willie departs to make room for him.
12th minute - Hurricanes win an attacking lineout, but the maul is held up. Hurricanes win a penalty and Taylor is sent to the bin, after he hides the ball to prevent a quick tap.
YELLOW CARD to Taylor
Coles gives him a sendoff.
11th minute - Hurricanes get a scrum penalty and try to tap quickly, but they're not on the mark.
10th minute - Coles and Taylor are still conversing, as the scrum packs down on the 22, Crusaders feed.
Eighth minute - Hurricanes win a penalty, when the ball is not released in a ruck on the 22, then a melee breaks out between Coles and Taylor. Hurricanes take a quick tap, but lose the ball, while the All Blacks hookers reunite.
Seventh minute - HUrricanes build phases inside the 22, Proctor takes a gap, but can't find support. Mo'unga snaps up the loose ball and Crusaders try to break out of their 22.
Sixth minute - Delany wins the lineout, Hurricanes shift left and Naholo enters the 22.
Fifth minute - Crusaders steal Coles' throw to the lineout, Mo'unga tries a crosskick to Fainga'anuku, but the ball bounces into touch outside the 22.
Fourth minute - Crusaders win the lineout and Williams carries into contact, but Hurricanes win a penalty at the breakdown. Cameron kicks to touch inside Crusaders 22.
Third minute - Chapman kicks the ball to the goal area and Naholo tries to run the ball out. Eventually, Cameron clears towards halfway.
Second minute - Hurricanes win a penalty on halfway, they win an attacking lineout, but Gallagher - on the field for Whitelock steals the ball.
First minute - Cameron kicks off, Lio-Willie and Chapman kicks towards halfway. Hurricanes have the ball in hand...
Halftime
40th minute - Halftime sounds, as Mo'unga kicks off, and Hurricanes find touch to end the half.
39th minute - TRY to Proctor
Iose carries powerfully towards the tryline and when the ball goes left, Barrett puts his centre over in the corner, with a clever backhanded offload. Barrett pulls his conversion badly left, CRU 19-8
38th minute - Flanders wins another lineout and Barrett crashes up centrefield.
37th minute - Hurricanes steal Taylor's lineout throw and then win a penalty for a high tackle. Cameron clears towards halfway, Hurricanes win the lineout and when the ball shifts right, Sinkinson converts a 50-22.
36th minute - MacLeod kicks infield from the right sideline, but Moorby is there to defuse any danger. Roigard clears towards halfway.
35th minute - Flanders win a lineout near halfway, but a midfield pass bounces off Proctor's head. Naholo fields a Crusaders kick and Roigard kicks deep, but Jordan returns to the Hurricanes half.
34th minute - From the scrum, Mo'ugan kicks ahead, but the Crusaders make an early tackle in the chase and are penalised.
33rd minute - Barrett slips a short midfield pass to Sinkinson, but he loses the ball forward.
32nd minute - Whitelock secures the kickoff and Chapman kicks downfield, wher Moorby runs into the catch. Hurricanes in Crusaders half, with Iose back on the field.
30th minute - TRY to Ennor
From the scrum, Lio-Willie runs off the back and left, where Jordan feeds Ennor, who reaches out to score in a tackle. Mo'unga slots the conversion, CRU 19-3
28th minute - Sinkinson claims the kickoff for the Hurricanes and Roigard kicks high, but into touch on the full. Crusaders lineout near the 22.
Crusaders win the lineout, Goodhue carries into the 22 and Crusaders have penalty advantage. Mo'unga chips ahead, but Fainga'anuku can't quite gather the ball, so Crusaders will take an attacking scrum.
27th minute - PENALTY to Barrett
26th minute - Delany wins a lineout and Flanders storm into the Crusaders 22. Hurricanes have an offside penalty advantage.
Iose's yellow card isn't upgraded to red, so he will be back in three minutes.
25th minute - Some triage taking place on the field, but everyone is back in place. Whitelock wins the lineout in his 22 and Chapman clears beyond the 22.
24th minute - Hurricanes try to find a way to the tryline, but Taylor disrupts a midfield pass and the Crusaders break out. Savea pounces on a loose ball and dashes down the left sideline, but is dragged into touch by Mo'unga.
23rd minute - Crusaders have the ball in Hurrianes territory, but Naholo intercepts a pass and sprints upfield, confronted by Jordan.
22nd minute - Crusaders secure the kickoff, Chapman kicks high and Roigard claims it. Hurricanes in Crusaders half.
20th minute - Pickerill is reviewing potential foul play and finds a shoulder to the head of Lio-Willie from Iose, who is yellow-carded.
YELLOW CARD to Iose
TRY to Taylor
Mo'unga kicks to the corner... Barrett wins the lineout and Crusaders have penalty advantage. No mater, they maul to the line and Taylor has a try, after losing one earlier.
Mo'unga converts, CRU 12-0
19th minute - Jordan kicks to the goal-line and Cameron eventually has to force for a dropout.
Jordan claims the kickoff near the Hurricanes 10 and Crusaders shift left, where Fainga'anuku is dominant again.
18th minute - From the scrum, Cameron kicks deep and Jordan brings it back to Hurricanes territory.
17th minute - Lio-Willie has the ball knocked from his grasp in a tackle and forward. Hurricanes scrum feed.
16th minute - Barrett wins the lineout and Crusaders take the ball to midfield, where Fainga'anuku powers ahead. Savea drives Strange backwards, but the Crusaders keep the ball in hand.
15th minute - Cameron's goal-line dropout is allowed to bounce and it trickles into touch inside Crusaders territory.
Crusaders win the lineout and a penalty. Mo'unga finds touch on the Hurricanes 22.
14th minute - Whitelock wins the lineout and Crusaders maul again, but Lio-Willie is held up over the line.
13th minute - Lio-Willie wins the lineout and the maul disintegrates, propelling Taylor to the tryline. Pickerill wants to review for obstruction and Afoa has definitely impeded Roigard's tackle on Taylor.
Pickerill disallows the try, but awards a penalty to the Crusaders for the collapsed maul.
12th minute - Crusaders win a penalty in the Hurricanes half and Mo'unga kicks to the corner for a lineout.
11th minute - Crusaders build phases towards the Hurricanes 10, then shift left towards Fainga'anuku, who kicks.
10th minute - Coles overthrows the lineout, Taylor comes away with the ball and Crusaders have a clearing penalty. Crusaders win a lineout in Hurricanes half.
Ninth minute - Cameron changes the direction of the attack and Hurricanes have a midfield penalty near the Crusaders 10. Cameron kicks for the corner.
Eighth minute - Cameron kicks deep, but Mo'unga responds to find touch near halfway. Hurricanes win the lineout...
Seventh minute - Mo'unga kicks for the corner, but Morgan keeps the ball live and Hurricanes clear to halfway, where Crusaders win the lineout.
Sixth minute - Moorby snatches a crosskick from Mo'unga, but Crusaders have a penalty near halfway.
Fifth minute - From the kickoff, Crusaders have the ball and Chapman kicks high towards halfway, taken by Moorby.
Hurricanes shift right, but Proctor's infield pass is picked up.
Third minute - TRY to Fainga'anuku
Crusaders win the lineout and shift left, where Fainga'anuku carries within a few metres of the tryline. After a couple of phases, the power winger pops up again and he can't be stopped from that close.
Mo'unga slices his conversion right, CRU 5-0
Second minute - From the scrum, Cameron kicks for the sideline, but on the full, so another early mistake.
First minute - Brendon Pickerill is the referee tonight and Mo'unga kicks off for the Crusaders.
Hurricanes secure the kickoff and Roigard puts up a high kick, but Jordan kicks the ball dead for a Hurricanes scrum in midfield near halfway.
7:04pm - Dane Coles runs onto Sky Stadium for his last home game in Hurricanes colours.
6:59pm - Bad news for the Crusaders, with halfback Mitch Drummond limping out of the warm-ups, presumably replaced by debutant Louie Chapman in the starting line-up. Stand by for confirmation...
Another debutant - Joel Lam - has been added to the Crusaders bench, as reserve halfback.
*****
Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's coverage of the Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Hurricanes and Crusaders at Wellington's Sky Stadium.
Twenty-four hours ago, the home side were playing for a home quarter-final, while the Crusaders were defending their potential semi from the Blues.
Neither of things are now a factor, leaving this match totally meaningless in terms of final regular season standings.
Failing to secure a big bonus-point win over the Highlanders has seen the Blues fall short of unseating the southerners, but that victory - along with the Brumbies' bonus-point win over the Rebels - is enough to end the Hurricanes' home hopes.
Both teams will field strong starting line-ups, choosing not to rest or protect their stars for the playoffs, but maybe now we will see the subs rolling early, with nothing to play for, except momentum.
Both sides are dealing with injuries, with the Hurricanes losing both starting wingers - Julian Savea and Salesi Rayasi - while the Crusaders will hope Tamaiti Williams can survive this fixture, as the last standing prop from their original squad.
Join us at 7pm for kickoff.
TAB Odds: Crusaders $1.47, Hurricanes $2.70, Draw $18
Hurricanes: 1-Tevita Mafileo, 2-Dane Coles, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-James Blackwell, 5-Caleb Delany, 6-Devan Flanders, 7-Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8-Ardie Savea (c), 9-Cam Roigard, 10-Brett Cameron, 11-Kini Naholo, 12-Jordie Barrett, 13-Billy Proctor, 14-Daniel Sinkinson, 15-Josh Moorby
Reserves: 16-Jacob Devery, 17-Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18-Owen Franks, 19-Justin Sangster, 20-Brayden Iose, 21-Jamie Booth, 22-Ruben Love, 23-Bailyn Sullivan
Crusaders: 1-Tamaiti Williams, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-John Afoa, 4-Quin Strange, 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-Scott Barrett, 7-Tom Christie, 8-Christian Lio-Willie, 9-Mitch Drummond, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12-Jack Goodhue, 13-Braydon Ennor, 14-Dallas McLeod, 15-Will Jordan
Reserves: 16-Brodie McAlister, 17-Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 18-Reuben O'Neill, 19-Zach Gallagher, 20-Sione Talitui, 21-Louie Chapman, 22-Fergus Burke, 23-Chay Fihaki
Injury-plagued Crusaders consider dispensation request for Afoa
Last weekend, John Afoa made history as Super Rugby's oldest ever player - but the 39-year-old won't appear in the playoffs.
Afoa's been deemed ineligible, as he hasn't played enough games this season for the Crusaders.
On Saturday, he turned back the clock in their 42-18 win over the Warratahs.
"The wise old fox got around the field, didn't he?" said coach Robertson. "He knew what to do.
"He's got some great banter... his humour's still there and he's just the true essence of footy."
The clash with the Hurricanes will be the last in red-and-black for the 38-test All Black.
To be eligible for next weekend's playoffs, Afoa needed to play in four round-robin games or a match in New Zealand before April 1. The only possible lifeline for the Crusaders would be a dispensation from SANZAAR.
It's understood they had hoped to meet the governing body's criteria due to safety concerns around elevating an academy or club level player straight into Super Rugby playoffs, but as of late Thursday, no application had been made.
"There's an obligation for us to put a team out that's safe and guys are ready," said Robertson.
Sixty-test All Black prop Craig Dowd believes that shouldn't be an issue.
"Scrummaging these days, everyone seems to focus on how it's a dangerous place to be, but most props have spent enough time in there, whether at club rugby or whatever level they're playing at," Dowd told Newshub.
"It doesn't change - you're still marking against a big, burly, hairy, fat guy."
With All Blacks David Havili and Cullen Grace also ruled out for the remainder of the season, the Crusaders face a true test of depth to make it seven straight Super titles.
