The Crusaders have survived a wild last quarter to hold on for a 31-24 win over the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Rob Penney’s men were reduced to 13 late after Ethan Blackadder and Antonio Shalfoon went to the bin.
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It allowed the hosts to launch a comeback, reducing the margin to seven before having several chances at the Crusaders’ line.
Each team, the visitors came up with the deciding blow, including the rolling maul turnover after the siren for the win.
It came after the Crusaders held a 31-10 lead after a hat-trick to hooker Ioane Moananu.
The Hurricanes opened the scoring after a smart run from centre Peter Umaga-Jensen close to the line.
This woke the Crusaders into action as hooker Moananu sparked the visitors into action.
Moananu crossed for a double as the Crusaders raced out to a lead, first scoring from a rolling maul before backing up a Scott Barrett break for his second.
Former Wallabies flyhalf James O’Connor was a sudden inclusion after Tahs Kemara’s HIA and made an instant impact.
O’Connor pounced on an overthrown lineout and spun past two defenders, sprinting away to give the Crusaders a 19-10 lead.
This was quickly extended when winger Chay Fihaki continued his hot streak with a lovely finish in the corner, giving Barrett yet another try assist.
Moananu’s third had the Crusaders in what seemed like a prime position for victory before the collapse.
Peter Lakai reduced the margin before the pair of yellow cards inside three minutes opened the game wide open.
Umaga-Jensen took a chance to expose the space as the centre crossed for a double.
The Hurricanes marched back into the 22 and had a chance to claim the win, before the visitors got over the ball for the steal.
A late breakdown penalty offers one last chance to strike, only for the visitors to hold strong.
It briefly puts the Crusaders top of the ladder, with the Chiefs to play the NSW Waratahs later on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes miss a golden chance to jump into the top six, one point behind the Waratahs.
