Super 12 strugglers the Hurricanes produced a shock result last night by beating reigning champions the Crusaders 41-29.
The Hurricanes outscored the Cantabrians by five tries to two and withstood some intense pressure at the death to deny them even a bonus point for getting within seven points of the winning score.
Three Andrew Mehrtens penalties in the first 10 minutes put Crusaders 9-0 up, but Mehrtens then became the villain when he floated a terrible long pass in midfield in the 24th minute which led to Hurricanes scoring the opening try.
Dion Waller intercepted the pass, set up a maul and from this Tana Umaga broke clear and raced 40 metres to the line. David Holwell converted to reduce the deficit to 9-7.
Mehrtens and Holwell then exchanged penalties before Hurricanes went ahead for the first time with a stunning try. Paul Steinmetz sparked the move from 60 metres out that led to Christian Cullen scoring under the posts. Holwell added the conversion.
The Crusaders hit back late in the half to take a 19-17 lead when Samoan winger Afato So'oalo broke through after a quick tap penalty.
Mehrtens extended the advantage with an early second-half penalty, but the lead was short-lived as Paul Tito won his third lineout from a Crusaders throw-in and the resulting backline move allowed a break from Umaga to set up Paul Steinmetz for a try.
Further tries from Cullen and winger Jonah Lomu extended the lead further, but the visitors' discipline then let them down when Filo Tiatia was sin-binned for a crude head-high tackle on Mark Robinson.
Mehrtens atoned for his wayward first-half pass by diving over near the posts after a long spell of pressure. He converted his own try but it was too late to save his side from defeat.
Hurricanes, who now have two wins from six Super 12 matches, have a habit of upsetting the Canterbury team - they beat them last year in Wellington and the year before in Christchurch.
The Crusaders are now struggling in sixth place with just two wins and with a trip to South Africa looming. Reaching the semifinals may be beyond them this time.
- REUTERS
2001 Super 12 schedule/results
New Zealand's Super 12 squads
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