Kyle Preston scores a try on debut for the Crusaders against the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby season opening match at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch, 14 February. Photo: Photosport
A hattrick to debutant Kyle Preston has powered the Crusaders to a 33-25 win over the Hurricanes at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch.
The effort would have felt more than a little ironic for Hurricanes fans, since the halfback was lured south last season from Wellington.
However, it was the visitors that got the brighter start: two tries to hooker Jacob Devery gave them a 14-0 lead into a stiff easterly breeze.
The Crusaders hit back through Preston, who had come on inside the opening 10 minutes for Noah Hotham.
He was sent under the posts by Will Jordan for his first, however, the Hurricanes headed into the break with an eight point-lead thanks to a stunning finish in the corner by Kini Naholo.
Preston scored his second off a beautiful counter-attack started by Jordan, who got the ball wide to Sevu Reece.
The All Black winger sent a kick back infield and Preston was on hand to score under the posts.
Reece then scored the go ahead try with 15 minutes to go, finishing off another Jordan bust with former Wallaby James O'Connor who played a leading hand.
Preston then completed his dream debut by darting over from a ruck with seven minutes left.
It was exactly the start the Crusaders needed after last year's disastrous season.
They face a tough challenge next weekend in Hamilton against the Chiefs. While the Hurricanes will host the Drua in Napier.
See how the match unfolded with RNZ's live blog:
Team lists
Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams 2. Ioane Moananu 3. Fletcher Newell 4. Scott Barrett 5. Antonio Shalfoon 6. Cullen Grace 7. Ethan Blackadder 8. Christian Lio-Willie 9. Noah Hotham 10. Taha Kemara 11. Sevu Reece 12. David Havili (c) 13. Levi Aumua 14. Chay Fihaki 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Manumaua Letiu 17. George Bower 18. Sam Matenga 19. Tahlor Cahill 20. Corey Kellow 21. Kyle Preston 22. James O'Connor 23. Dallas McLeod
Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia 2. Jacob Devery 3. Tevita Mafileo 4. Caleb Delany 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere 6. Brad Shields (cc) 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc) 8. Brayden Iose 9. Cameron Roigard 10. Harry Godfrey 11. Peter Umaga-Jensen 12. Bailyn Sullivan 13. Kini Naholo 14. Fatafehi Fineanganofo 15. Callum Harkin
Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones 18. Pasilio Tosi 19. Hugo Plummer 20. Peter Lakai 21. Ereatara Enari 22. Riley Hohepa 23. Ngatungane Punivai
