The Crusaders have maintained their unbeaten run in the Super rugby competition with a 20-12 win over the defending champions in Christchurch.
Keeping the defending champions tryless for the first time since 2014, the Crusaders put on a clinic at the set-piece and nabbed the only five-pointer of the game, via openside Matt Todd, off the back of a maul.
Pete Samu on the burst for the Cruasaders with the Hurricanes skipper TJ Perenara in pursuit. Photo: Photosport
They then proceeded to shut out the Hurricanes with frighteningly high line speed in defence, nullifying the potency of Beauden Barrett and company, and through the go-forward of an all-Test tight five.
They now sit eight points clear of the Chiefs in the New Zealand conference and four points clear of the South African side the Lions in the overall standings after 11 straight wins.
The Hurricanes, who have suffered their first loss in seven games, remain third in their conference.
"We knew it was going to take a lot of effort and the boys showed a lot of heart today," Crusaders vice-captain Ryan Crotty said.
"We didn't let them get anything going."
Crusaders players celebrate as full-time is called in the 20-12 win over the Hurricanes. Photo: PhotoSport
In what was a furious opening stanza, the sides traded nothing but three- pointers as they battered into each other relentlessly.
The Crusaders had the clear upper hand at the set-piece, forcing penalties out of the Hurricanes scrum and lineout, while also stifling the Hurricanes trademark running rugby by shutting down playermaker Beauden Barrett.
At halftime the scores were locked at 9-all.
The only try of the game came in the most Crusaders-esque way possible.
Handed an attacking lineout, they threw short and bulldozed towards the line via a driving maul, with Todd planting the ball over the try line.
Despite the loss, which was only the second of the season for the Hurricanes, captain TJ Perenara was pleased with his team's effort.
The Crusaders play the Chiefs in Fiji next round while the Hurricanes host the South African the Cheetahs win Wellington.
