The Hurricanes have solidified their spot on top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder with a 38-31 win over the Crusaders.

The win sees them leap ahead of the Chiefs, currently on a bye, while denting the defending champions’ home final hopes.

The focus heading in was on the battle of the open side flankers, with Leicester Fainga’anuku and Du’Plessis Kirifi dominating early.

Fainga’anuku struck first for the Crusaders from close, crashing over the line after eight minutes.

Kirifi almost hit straight back with a 50-22; however, he found himself on the scoreboard shortly afterwards to level the scores.

The All Black gave the Crusaders a chance to level the scores at 10-all after he was pinged for not rolling away.

As the half came to an end, the Hurricanes went to work, scoring twice in a third-minute period.

It started with Billy Proctor and Peter Lakai combining to put Josh Moorby over, with Brayden Iose’s chip for Cam Roigard delivering a 24-10 lead at half-time.

Both teams trading tries to start the half, with Noah Hotham’s dart answered by replacement Hurricanes hooker Raymond Tuputupu for the instant response.

The impact of Rivez Reihana was massive off the bench, striking with 20 minutes to go to bring it back to a converted try.

Fehi Fineanganofo restored their advantage with his 15th try of the year, one short of the all-time single second record held by Ben Lam and Joe Roff.

But the Crusaders weren’t able to die wondering, Dom Gardiner crashing over under the posts with three minutes to go to set up the tense finish.

Macca Springer nearly sent the game into extra time with a break inside Hurricanes half, only for the offload to find the hands of the hosts.

With the siren sounding, David Havili’s bold cross-field kick on halfway ended their hopes as the Hurricanes go top of the ladder.

Meanwhile, the Crusaders nab a valuable bonus point with a tough run to finish the year, including another match against the Hurricanes along with the Blues and Chiefs.

Hurricanes 38 (Tries: Kirifi, Roigard, Tuputupu, Fineanganofo, Moorby, Kirifi; Cons: Love 5; Pens: Love) def Crusaders 31 (Tries: Fainga'anuku, Hotham, Gardiner, Reihana; Cons: Reihana 3, Kemara; Pens: Kemara)

Teams:

Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Brayden Iose, 5 Warner Dearns, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Raymond Tuputupu, 17 Siale Lauaki, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Devan Flanders, 22 Ereatara Enari, 23 Jone Rova

Crusaders: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Dallas McLeod, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Macca Springer, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 5 Tahlor Cahill, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Dom Gardiner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Johnny Lee, 23 Rivez Reihana

Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Dan Moore
TMO: Glenn Newman