Barrett leads Crusaders to heart-stopping victory over Hurricanes

Crusaders coach Rob Penney may secretly wish for his players to face public criticism more often after Scott Barrett, under scrutiny for a slow start to the season, led his side to a stirring 31-24 victory over the Hurricanes in Wellington.

In an occasionally ill-tempered match which caught fire in the final quarter, All Blacks skipper Barrett showed all his experience but more importantly a relentlessness which typified the red and blacks in their victory at the Cake Tin tonight.

They combined a ruthless attitude with innovation, and, after conceding an early try to Peter Umaga-Jenson, who was celebrating his 50th game for the Hurricanes, appeared to be in control until a late rally from the home side inspired by loose forwards Peter Lakai and Du’Plessi Kirifi.

Barrett, who admitted during the week that he has not been at his best following concerns raised by former All Blacks and Sky TV pundits Jeff Wilson and Mils Muliaina, was at the heart of it through his defence and in the end his leadership was crucial at the Crusaders defended with 13 men for much of the final 10 minutes.

A free-flowing attack turned to dogged defence after Ethan Blackadder was sinbinned after a series of penalties conceded by his side in the 68th minute and then replacement lock Antonio Shalfoon followed suit three minutes later.

It was desperate stuff from the Crusaders, the second-placed team before kick-off who went to the top of the table ahead of the Chiefs’ match against the Waratahs in Sydney.

“We were holding on for dear life,” Crusaders fullback Will Jordan said afterwards.

It was all so different in the first half as Tamaiti Williams and Ioane Moanunu went over in quick succession as the Crusaders profited from their lineout dominance and a driving maul which remained a weapon throughout.

Their determination and line speed on defence also served to keep the Hurricanes trapped in their own half and the home side were unable to find a flow which had served them so well in their previous home game – a thrashing of the Waratahs.

The mistakes kept coming and after replacement first-five James O’Connor took brilliant advantage of a lineout overthrow to score a converted try, and Chay Fihaki expertly dotted down inside the corner flag following Barrett’s sharp pass, the damage appeared terminal.

Halfback Noah Hotham probably edged his opposite Cam Roigard but was perhaps guilty of overplaying his hand at times, with the Crusaders hamstrung by a first-half injury to captain David Havili.

No matter - the Crusaders had a healthy 24-10 halftime lead which was extended by Moananu’s second try but then the visitors lost their rhythm in the face of a renewed determination by the Hurricanes.

The sight of Ruben Love wrestling on the ground with Jordan was an indication of where both teams’ feelings were at and there were more scuffles later as the Hurricanes attempted to re-establish their dominance.

If Lakai’s converted try gave them hope, the yellow cards for Blackadder and Shalfoon and Umaga-Jensen’s second try gave them real belief, and, with Kirifi roaring them on and the Hurricanes enjoying territorial dominance, the comeback was very much on.

Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, two late attacking lineouts were squandered, the Crusaders stealing the ball at the finish and clearing to begin the celebrations that were very much tinged with relief.

Crusaders 31 (Ioane Moananu 2, Tamaiti Williams, James OConnor, Chay Fihaki tries; Taha Kemara 2 cons, O’Connor con)

Hurricanes 24 (Peter Umaga-Jensen 2, Peter Lakai tries; Riley Hohepa con, pen, Callum Harkin con)

Halftime: 24-10