Hurricanes v Crusaders: Five takeaways as All Blacks scrum-half duel catches the eye while Leicester Fainga’anuku’s progress in new role continues
Hurricanes scrum-half Cam Roigard and Crusaders hybrid player Leicester Fainga'anuku (inset).
Following the Hurricanes’ 38-31 win over the Crusaders in their Super Rugby Pacific derby at Hnry Stadium in Wellington on Friday, Planet Rugby picks out five takeaways from the thrilling action.
The top line
As expected, this was an entertaining New Zealand derby, and the Hurricanes had to dig deep to get the better of Super Rugby Pacific‘s defending champions, but the hosts eventually outscored their opponents by five tries to four.
The Crusaders were fastest out of the blocks and opened the scoring after eight minutes when Leicester Fainga’anuku dotted down, but the Hurricanes drew level midway through the opening half when Du’Plessis Kirifi crossed the whitewash.
Ruben Love added the extras before trading penalties with Taha Kemara, which meant the sides were level at 10-10 after 34 minutes. The Hurricanes would finish the half stronger, however, and late tries from Josh Moorby and Cameron Roigard gave them a 24-10 lead at the interval.
The Crusaders needed a response if they wanted something from this clash, and that came courtesy of a well-taken converted try from Noah Hotham shortly after the restart.
However, the Hurricanes regained the initiative when Raymond Tuputupu scored a try in the 53rd minute but the visitors struck back when Rivez Reihana also dotted down five minutes later.
In the 65th minute, Fehi Fineanganofo scored the Hurricanes’ fifth try and although the Crusaders replied with a five-pointer from Dom Gardiner in the game’s closing stages, the hosts held on to clinch their eighth win of the season.
All Blacks scrum-half battle catches the eye
Although there were several outstanding direct battles across the park, the scrum-half duel between the Hurricanes’ Roigard and Crusaders’ Hotham was one of the highlights of this game as both came to the fore with superb individual performances.
The All Blacks duo showed how important they are to their respective teams’ causes as they impressed with their attacking skills, decision making and game management throughout.
As usual, Roigard was influential to the Hurricanes’ cause, delivering an outstanding all-round performance in which he took the fight to the champions.
The 25-year-old’s work around the breakdown was superb throughout. He kept the Crusaders on their toes with some sniping line breaks and gained 33 metres which included six runs a try and a try assist.
Meanwhile, Hotham rose to the challenge against his fellow All Black as he varied his play well and posed an attacking threat throughout. He finished with 21 metres made and, like Roigard, was rewarded with a try and a five-pointer while also shining on defence where he completed 10 tackles.
Leicester Fainga’anuku continues to shine in new role
Much has been said and written about All Blacks star Fainga’anuku in recent weeks after Crusaders head coach Rob Penney opted to shift him from the backline, where he usually lines up on the wing or at centre, to the forwards.
Fainga’anuku showed his class with a superb all-round performance on the openside flank in a winning cause against the Waratahs last week. Although he finished on the losing side against the Hurricanes, he can be proud of his efforts as he was one of the Crusaders’ better players.
The 26-year-old was confrontational in contact, a menace at the breakdowns and put in impressive defensive shift before being replaced by Johnny Lee late in the second half.
Fainga’anuku’s attacking efforts were rewarded with a try while he also made 13 hits and won two crucial turnovers.
The Hurricanes are the real deal
The Crusaders deserve plenty of credit for being competitive throughout, but the home side were full value for this victory, dominating for long periods.
Clark Laidlaw’s troops showed their class with an excellent all-round display with their forwards setting up an excellent platform for their backline and the men from Wellington were eventually rewarded with five tries for their efforts.
While the Crusaders put up a brave fight – especially in the forward exchanges – and showed why they are the champions by constantly fighting back and crossing for tries whenever the Hurricanes dotted down, the home side never panicked and held a slight edge throughout this encounter.
The Hurricanes came into this fixture sitting level on points with the Chiefs in joint-first place the table but with the Hamilton-based outfit having a bye this week, this victory means the host are now in sole position atop the table with 40 points amassed after 10 matches played.
This was a statement victory from the ‘Canes and showed that they are the real deal and well set to win a Super Rugby title for the first time since 2016.
Fehi Fineanganofo continues his try-scoring heroics
After catching the eye with a four-try haul in the Hurricanes’ victory over the Brumbies last week, all eyes were on the Newcastle Red Bulls-bound flyer in this match.
However, Fineanganofo was closely watched by the Crusaders defence and did not have as big an impact on proceedings.
Despite that, the 23-year-old could not be kept in check for the entire game and in the 65th minute he left his stamp on this match when he gathered a pass from Isaia Walker-Leawere before crossing for a well-taken try.
That five-pointer means Fineanganofo is now just one try adrift from equalling the all-time Super Rugby record.
The former All sevens flyer has crossed for 15 tries this season and with four rounds of action left in the regular season before the play-offs, he is in a good position to break that record which is jointly held by Joe Roff and Ben Lam.
