The Crusaders’ four-year unbeaten home record in Super Rugby came to an end in ignominy against the Hurricanes during a thriller on Saturday.
They went down 34-32 in Christchurch with sparks flying after Crusaders’ full-back Will Jordan had been stopped in the final minute near the Hurricanes’ line by a brilliant try-saving cover tackle from Jamie Booth.
Hurricanes full-back Jordie Barrett, the brother of New Zealand superstar Beauden Barrett, went in at the ruck to win a penalty.
That led to words being exchanged and a touchline bust-up with Crusaders’ substitute Quinten Strange punching Barrett in the nose with a right-hander.
A fuming Barrett was left nursing a bleeding nose as other players joined in with the subsequent melee, resulting in Strange ending up over the advertising hoardings surrounding the pitch.
He was sin-binned for his punch and Barrett had the final say by tapping the penalty and kicking the ball out of play to signal the final whistle.
Three in a row Super Rugby champions Crusaders had won 35 and drawn one of their last 36 home fixtures in the tournament.
Their last home defeat in it, on May 3, 2016, had ironically occurred against the Hurricanes.
Barrett successfully kicked two conversions and five penalties for a 19-point haul for the Hurricanes with right-wing Wes Goosen (two) and centre Peter Umaga-Jensen bagging tries.
Outside-half Richie Mo’unga, who also kicked three conversions and two penalties for a 17-point contribution, left-wing George Bridge, Strange and right-wing Sevu Reece got Crusaders' tries.
