After falling off a cliff last year, the Crusaders have bounced back in stunning style by overcoming an eight-point halftime deficit to beat the Hurricanes 33-25 at home in the Super Rugby Pacific season opener on Friday night.
On an evening where Wallaby James O’Connor came off the bench to play his part in the Crusaders’ stunning second half, little-known halfback Kyle Preston was the story of the evening by scoring a hat-trick.
The 25-year-old, who had spent a couple of years stuck behind Cam Roigard and TJ Perenara in Wellington, got his chance early in the match after Noah Hotham was forced off with a leg injury. The debutant didn’t waste his opportunity, scoring once in the first half before crossing in the second half twice as Rob Penney’s men turned the screws on their North Island rivals.
James O’Connor won his first match for the Crusaders after his high-profile switch to New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Early on the home fans would have been wincing and fearing more of the same in 2025 as Scott Barrett was sent to the sin bin and the Hurricanes hit the Crusaders hard, scoring after just five minutes through Jacob Devery.
The rising hooker had his second soon after as the Crusaders struggled to contain last year’s semi-finalists and minor premiers.
But some magic from Will Jordan helped bring the Crusaders back, finding space and putting the ball on Preston’s chest to hit back. A second came soon after.
After drawing level at 14-14 after 25 minutes, a penalty to Harry Godfrey and fine finish from Kini Naholo saw the Hurricanes take a 22-14 half-time lead.
The Hurricanes had the chance to continue to build scoreboard pressure, but the visitors turned down a simple shot at goals. Immediately they paid the price as the Crusaders turned the Hurricanes over and then turned defence into attack.
A brilliant break and even better centring kick from Sevu Reece saw Preston score his second as the home side cut the score to 22-21.
The Hurricanes opted to take three soon after to take the lead out beyond a penalty advantage, but it was the last points they would score in the evening as O’Connor made an immediate impression.
The veteran Wallaby, who switched from the Reds to the Crusaders in the hope of making a late play ahead of the Lions and to fulfill a New Zealand dream, ran to the line and put Jordan through a lovely hole. Soon after Reece was over and the Crusaders took the lead for the first time in the match.
The home side then sealed the deal in the 73rd minute as Preston had his third try.
