MATCH REPORT: Crusaders close out regular season with commanding win as Reece shines in 100th

The Crusaders closed out the regular season with a 47–14 win over the Hurricanes in Christchurch, with Sevu Reece marking his 100th appearance in red and black in style. 

The Hurricanes kicked off under the roof at One New Zealand Stadium, but the Crusaders were forced into an early reshuffle when Rivez Reihana departed for a head injury assessment and did not return.  

Despite the disruption, the hosts settled quickly and began to build through the middle, applying early pressure. 

It was fitting that the breakthrough came through Reece. In his milestone match, he opened the scoring after a sustained attacking sequence close to the line, finishing clinically to give the crowd an early lift. Taha Kemara converted from the left touchline to make it 7–0 after 10 minutes. 

The Hurricanes responded immediately. From a scrum in attacking territory, they carried strongly through multiple phases before Cam Roigard created space for captain Brad Shields to cross under the posts. Callum Harkin added the extras to level the scores at 7–7. 

The Crusaders regained control through a sharp turnover and quick transition. Chay Fihaki came up with the initial steal, and from there the hosts moved the ball with intent, David Havili straightened through the middle before linking play that sent Noah Hotham over out wide. Kemara converted to push the Crusaders back in front at 14–7. 

Momentum continued to swing the home side’s way as they began to stretch the Hurricanes across the park. After building pressure through multiple phases, the ball was shifted left where Johnny McNicholl found space to force his way over. Kemara remained accurate from the tee to extend the lead to 21–7. 

The Crusaders finished the half strongly. Sustained possession inside the Hurricanes’ 22 created another opportunity, and Christian Lio-Willie backed up on the left edge to cross for the fourth try. The conversion drifted wide, but the Crusaders took a commanding 26–7 lead into the break. 

The second half never found the same rhythm, breaking down into a scrappy and often unstructured contest as both sides began to clear their benches. Turnovers and missed tackles became more frequent, and while the tempo remained high, accuracy dipped. 

The Crusaders added to their lead through Manumaua Letiu, who finished a well-worked movement close to the line, with the conversion stretching the margin to 33–7.  

The Hurricanes managed a reply through Pouri Rakete-Stones after a period of pressure, with Harkin converting to bring it back to 33–14. 

Any momentum was short-lived. The Crusaders responded quickly, working back into attacking territory before Kyle Preston finished under the posts to reassert control. The conversion pushed the lead out again, and the result was effectively sealed. 

Fittingly, the final say belonged to Reece. Thriving in the broken play of the closing stages, he capitalised on a turnover to cross for his second of the night, before adding the conversion from the sideline to cap a memorable milestone performance and seal the 47–14 result. 

Head coach Rob Penney was pleased with how his side handled the match up.  

“It was a hard night out there, but I’m really proud of the group and the way they managed to do what was required given the circumstances,” Penney says. 

“The way we started and competed for everything, the effort and endeavour was there, which was really pleasing.” 

Penney also paid tribute to milestone man Sevu Reece, who delivered a standout performance on his 100th appearance. 

“Sevu is in some great form and he’s still a young man. People think he’s been around for a long time, but credit to him,” he says. 

“He’s a crowd favourite here and it was great to see him have a night like that.” 

Full time: Crusaders 47, Hurricanes 14