The Hurricanes have rallied in the second half to beat the Christchurch-based Crusaders 27-26 as both teams count down to Super Rugby Pacific finals appearances.

The match in Wellington had no significance for the playoffs with the Crusaders already sealing second place and the Hurricanes safe in fifth.

In the first week of the finals, the Hurricanes will travel to Canberra to play the Brumbies  while the Crusaders had yet to learn who their quarter-final opponents will be.

The Crusaders dominated the first half against the Hurricanes, scoring tries through Leicester Fainga'anuku - his 11th of the season - hooker Codie Taylor and centre Braydon Ennor. 

After scoring just before halftime, the Hurricanes trailed 19-8 at the break.

The match turned on its head in the second half which the Hurricanes played mostly in the Crusaders half. 

Tries to scrumhalf Cam Roigard, fullback Josh Moorby and backrower Brayden Iose carried the Hurricanes to a 27-19 lead before the Crusaders finished with a try to Chay Fihaki after the fulltime siren.

 

 

HURRICANES 27 (TRIES: Proctor, Roigard, Moorby, Iose CONS: Barrett 0/1 Cameron 2/3 PENS: Barrett 1/1)
CRUSADERS 26 (TRIES: Fainga'anuku, Taylor, Ennor, Fihaki CONS: Mo'unga 3/4)


HURRICANES (1-15): Tevita Mafileo, Dane Coles, Tyrel Lomax, James Blackwell, Caleb Delany, Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea (c), Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Daniel Sinkinson, Josh Moorby
RESERVES: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Owen Franks, Justin Sangster, Brayden Iose, Jamie Booth, Ruben Love, Bailyn Sullivan

CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, John Afoa, Quinten Strange, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo'unga, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Will Jordan
RESERVES: Brodie McAlister, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Reuben O'Neill, Zack Gallagher, Sione Havili Talitui, Louie Chapman, Fergus Burke, Chay Fihaki

Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Referees: James Doleman, Marcus Playle