Hurricanes vs Crusaders Player Ratings: Hurricanes Win 38-31

The Hurricanes maintained their position at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder on May 1, 2026, securing a 38-31 victory over the Crusaders at Hnry Stadium in Wellington.

The result allows the Hurricanes to leap ahead of the Chiefs in the standings. For the defending champion Crusaders, the loss impacts their prospects of securing a home final.

Match Breakdown and Key Moments

The contest began with a high-profile duel between openside flankers Leicester Fainga’anuku and Du’Plessis Kirifi. Both players scored the first two tries of the match, with Fainga’anuku scoring from close range for the visitors before Kirifi responded with a similar score approximately 13 minutes later.

The Hurricanes established a comfortable lead by halftime, ending the first half 24-10 after scoring two tries shortly before the break.

The Crusaders attempted a comeback in the second half, starting with a try from halfback Noah Hotham, who scored after deceiving two defenders. The Hurricanes responded through replacement hooker Raymond Tuputupu, who broke through the Crusaders’ defense from five meters out to score.

The closing stages of the match were marked by several contested decisions. Winger Fehi Fineanganofo scored a try following a flat pass that was reviewed for a potential forward pass; however, the on-field decision stood as the infringement was not deemed clear and obvious.

The Crusaders narrowed the gap further when replacement loose forward Dominic Gardiner scored under the posts following an intercept by fullback Johnny McNicholl. While there were questions regarding the grounding of the ball, officials did not review the play.

The Hurricanes closed out the game after a crossfield kick from David Havili fell short, allowing the hosts to recover the ball and kick it out to end the match.

Scoring Summary

• Hurricanes 38: Tries from Du’Plessis Kirifi, Josh Moorby, Cam Roigard, Raymond Tuputupu, and Fehi Fineanganofo; five conversions and one penalty from Ruben Love.
• Crusaders 31: Tries from Leicester Fainga’anuku, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, and Dominic Gardiner; one conversion and one penalty from Taha Kemara, and three conversions from Rivez Reihana.

Tactical Notes

Kicking tactics played a significant role in the battle for territory, with both teams utilizing contestable box kicks throughout the night. Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw had implemented four changes to his starting lineup for the clash, including the selection of his premier starting front row and starting Brayden Iose at blindside flanker.

The match was characterized by a physical battle at the breakdown, where Fainga’anuku secured multiple turnovers in the first half, while Kirifi faced several penalties before recording a critical turnover in the second half.