Crusaders secure home final after 30-12 win over Hurricanes in Christchurch

Crusaders 30-12 Hurricanes, AMI Stadium
Scorecard

Crusaders have kept their hope of defending the Super Rugby title alive as they defeated Hurricanes 30-12 at AMI Stadium on Saturday.

Scott Robertson's side will now face the winner of the second semi-final between Lions and Waratahs in the title decider on 3rd August.

Hurricanes could have got the lead early in the game but Jordie Barrett attempted a long-range kick that went wide. As the visitors continued to miss their tackles, Crusaders made the slip up count as Richie Mo'unga scored a converted try in the 15th minute to take them to a 7-0 lead.

Hurricanes managed to fight their way back in the game when Mo'unga slipped one through and Julian Savea made Crusaders punish as he crashed in the corner with Beauden Barrett converting it to level the scores 7-7.

Crusaders finished the first half strong with George Bridge crossing over in the 28th minute and even though Mo'unga missed out on the conversion, he kicked back to back penalties to make it 18-7.

The hosts extended their momentum in the second half as they capitalised an error from Nehe Milner-Skudder with Jack Goodhue offloading to fullback David Kaetau Havili for Crusaders' third try and a conversion from Mo'unga made it 25-7.

With Hurricanes unable to force on, Mo'unga was once again in the thick of the action when he found replacement Braydon Ennor to make it 30-7 before Ben Lam scored a converted try for Hurricanes in the final minute.

HIGHLIGHTS: 2018 Super Rugby Semi-Finals: Crusaders v Hurricanes
The @Crusadersrugby will host the 2018 Super Rugby Final next Saturday after scoring a dominant 30-12 victory over the @Hurricanesrugby in Christchurch. #SuperRugby #CRUvHUR #Semi-Final1 #canes #crusadeon pic.twitter.com/wwKijLdXIn

— Super Rugby (@SuperRugby) July 28, 2018