The Crusaders are absolutely storming their way to the playoffs in this year's Super Rugby. Played 14, won 14. Half of those victories have come with a bonus point for scoring three tries. Last night though, they produced a stunning act of escapology.
They were on the verge of losing their 100% start, trailing the Highlanders by three points with four minutes to go. Enter Mitch Hunt.
He first slotted a penalty to level things in the 76th minute, before snatching a second penalty right of the posts as the clock hit red.
Crusaders would regain possession, going through twenty phases, before Hunt got the ball just outside the 10-metre line. No problem for the 21-year old, who landed a monstrous drop goal for the victory.
You can watch full highlights below, with the drop goal coming at the 4:14 mark:
Speaking to the New Zealand Herald afterwards, Hunt explained the tactical brilliance which went into the winning phase:
We weren't going forward and big old Wyatt Crockett turned back to me and said "Do something with it, so I did something with it
I didn't hit it quite as I wanted to, it came off the toe a little bit, I guess a bit of a curve came round and helped it go over
The Highlanders had recovered from a nine-point deficit at halftime through a brace from All-Black Waisake Naholo.
A person who should be wary of Hunt is Warren Gatland. His Lions side line up against the Crusaders next Saturday morning, with an awful lot of work to do after today’s stuttering win.
