Super Rugby Pacific Hurricanes vs Crusaders at Christchurch on March 15, 2024

Super Rugby Pacific Hurricanes vs Crusaders Rugby Union fixture Round 4 at Christchurch on March 15, 2024. The Crusaders forward broke his finger during a training session prior to last weekend’s 20-10 loss to the Fijian Drua in Lautoka, therefore he will miss Friday’s derby against the Hurricanes in Christchurch.

In an attempt to maintain their perfect start to the season and, for the first time since 2018, win consecutive games over the Crusaders, the Hurricanes have selected a formidable squad.

This weekend’s Super Rugby Pacific will be followed by Crusaders vs Hurricanes game. The Crusaders are a professional rugby union team from New Zealand based in Christchurch that competes in the Super Rugby league.

Hurricanes vs Crusaders Rugby match day information

Game	Crusaders vs Hurricanes
Venue	Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Date & time	15 March 2024
Television	SKY Sports & Foxtel Now

Read more: Crusaders Super Rugby Live Stream

Hurricanes vs Crusaders match Preview

Fijian Drua upset Crusaders again in Lautoka. The landing of the Crusaders in Fiji is a momentous occasion. Up until they play the Drua, it is evident that the Pacific nation has a fervent Crusaders fan base. Last season, we traveled to Lautoka to play in front of a boisterous audience, but we were defeated by a single point, 25–24.

The Crusaders lost their opening three games of the season 20-10 against the Fijian Drua at Lautoka, marking their first loss since 1996.

After twenty-one minutes, the Crusaders were up 10-0 thanks to five points from Taha Kemara’s boot and a try by Sevu Reece.

The game was fast-paced and free-flowing, with both teams facing numerous challenges in attempting to hold onto the ball.

The Drua only gave up one try, to Reece, and scored two more through Frank Lomani and Selestino Ravutaumada, with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula scoring off the kickoff. Crusaders Rugby Official Website for update

Fijian Drua beat Crusaders 20-10

Crusaders tie a 28-year record in Super Rugby while the Fijian Drua say they won “for the fans.” Despite Rob Penney’s dreadful start to his ‘Saders tenure,’ this was the Drua’s second straight victory over the 13-time Super Rugby champions.

The Crusaders are now 11th in the standings, having had their worst start since Super Rugby’s inaugural campaign in 1996 under head coach Scott Robertson’s replacement.

The Drua improved to 10th place in the league rankings after winning their first game of the season, which came after they were defeated by Moana Pasifika the previous weekend.

The hosts’ victory was sealed by an outstanding defense, and Drua captain Derenalagi was happy with the four points for both his squad and their supporters.

Hurricanes vs Crusaders: Fans react to Crusaders’ loss to the Fijian Drua

Under new head coach Rob Penney, the seven-time defending champion Crusaders lost three straight games after giving up in the second half of the match at Lautoka.

The only previous occasion the dominant Christchurch team has dropped its first three games was during the competition’s first year in 1996.

Captain Scott Barrett stated that the Fijian humidity contributed to their clumsy performance. The Drua took the lead at the 20-minute mark, trailing 10-0.

Barrett stated, “We just weren’t as clinical and incisive as we’d hoped.”

“We were clear on our game plan, it was pretty simple, but we just didn’t execute.”

Penney, who replaced Scott Robertson, who resigned to coach the New Zealand All Blacks after leading the Crusaders to the championship in each of his seven seasons as head coach, is under more pressure as a result of the outcome.

Without a number of injured or departing All Blacks, Penney’s team lost their opening games of the Super Rugby Pacific season against the Waikato Chiefs, NSW Waratahs, and Drua.

Hurricanes vs Crusaders Squad

Friday 15 March: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch (19:05)

CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Zach Gallagher, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Willi Heinz, Riley Hohepa, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki

RESERVES: Ioane Moananu, Finlay Brewis, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Tahlor Cahill, Mitchell Drummond, Ryan Crotty, Dallas McLeod

HURRICANES (1-15): Tevita Mafileo, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, James Tucker, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor (co-c), Josh Moorby, Ruben Love

RESERVES: James O’Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Du’Plessis Kirifi, TJ Perenara, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Salesi Rayasi

source https://thedailyrugby.com/super-rugby-pacific-hurricanes-vs-crusaders/