The Crusaders have kept their hopes of a home qualifying final alive with a 47-14 win over the Hurricanes.
It maintains the winning record at the new One NZ Stadium, unbeaten at the ground since its opening in April.
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They took advantage of mass changes to the top-ranked Hurricanes, who made double-digit changes with their finals fate locked in,
The Crusaders were out to celebrate winger Sevu Reece in style in his 100th and the flyer did what he does best, crossing for a double, including the opener. It was Reece’s 72nd and 73rd tries in the red and black, extending his lead at the top of the all-time try-scoring table.
The rotated Hurricanes fought back through skipper Brad Shields to level the scores, before his opposition captain David Havili sparked a special try.
Havili broke the line from close to his 22 and sprinted away, keeping the ball alive for Reece to offload to scrumhalf Noah Hotham.
The centre was at it again shortly afterwards, combining with Chay Fihaki to set up Johnny McNicholl.
McNicholl turned provider for Christian Lio-Willie for their third try in 11 minutes and a 26-7 half-time lead.
With both teams locked into finals, the substitutions flowed as they emptied their benches early in the second half.
Debutant Cooper Roberts was the standout for the Crusaders, nearly creating a try with a classy offload. Meanwhile, Jordi Vijoen delivered the spark for the Hurricanes, who replaced the returning Cam Roigard after half-time.
The hosts would eventually add to their lead after 62 minutes as Manumaua Leita finished off a break from Oli Mathis and Roberts.
Pouri Rakete-Stones got a consolation try for the Hurricanes in the final 15 minutes but the result was well secured as the Crusaders climb into the top three for the time being, sealing the win with a late Kyle Preston try and Reece’s second.
They will play either the Blues or the ACT Brumbies in the finals, with the Crusaders needing the Chiefs to win against the Blues to ensure a home qualifying final.
The only concerns for the Crusaders are their ever-growing injury list, hovering over their title hopes like the smoke from the firework display during the second half.
Prop Fletcher Newell’s knee injury looks to be the most serious, coming off early in the first half after an awkward tackle. It came after Ethan Blackadder was withdrawn before half-time for precautionary reasons, as fly-half Rivez Reihana was replaced after eight minutes following a failed HIA.
