The Crusaders prevailed 16-9 in a tight contest influenced largely by the wet conditions here in Wellington, topping the New Zealand conference ahead of the Blues, and at least secure a home playoff match as the finals series gets underway next weekend.
They could yet have a week off as one of the top two teams overall -- the Cheetahs would have to upset the second-placed Stormers in Bloemfontein tomorrow morning (NZT) for that to happen -- but either way Todd Blackadder's team will be mightily happy to have topped their local rivals, a more than meritorious achievement considering they have not played a match on their home ground in Christchurch because of the damage caused by the February 22 earthquake.
The key moment came early in the second half on the back of a brilliant kick return from the in-form Crusaders winger Zac Guildford, who sliced through the defensive line before offloading to centre Robbie Fruean to score the only try of the match.
That took the 'home' team -- this was a Crusaders home match -- out to a 13-6 lead and halfback Andy Ellis, one of the best players on the park, sealed the result with 10 minutes remaining when he nonchalantly potted a dropped goal from the base of a ruck about 45m out while under a penalty advantage.
For the Hurricanes, this was a much improved effort and a hint of what might have been during a torrid season, which has seen them win just five of 16 matches. Five long-serving and key players -- Ma'a Nonu, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, John Schwalger and Rodney So'oialo -- played their last match for the Hurricanes tonight, once again finding themselves on the losing end of a Crusaders fixture.
Slippery conditions in the Wellington rain largely dictated both teams' approach, particularly in the opening half.
The Crusaders were keen to run when they had opportunities but otherwise they relied on a smart kicking game from Ellis and first five-eighths Daniel Carter, who were keen to pump the ball into the corners.
The Hurricanes, too, showed the ability to adapt to the conditions. They looked to play a territory-orientated game with ball in hand and they were often brutal on defence, departing prop Neemia Tialata leading the charge with some crunching hits in midfield as they defied their standing on the ladder with a committed effort.
The turnover rate was high -- predictably, in the conditions -- and neither team could gain the ascendancy in the first half, the Crusaders twice going ahead through the boot of Carter only to see his opposite, Aaron Cruden, reply with two penalties of his own as the scores were locked 6-6 at halftime.
Guildford's bust 2min into the second half was the decisive moment, handing the Crusaders a lead they have been accustomed to protecting and ensuring they will finish, at worst, third and with a home playoff in Nelson.
