The Crusaders have narrowly avoided losing successive games for the first time in over three years as David Havili's extra-time drop goal earned them a 30-27 Super Rugby Aotearoa win over the Hurricanes.
Havili stroked his kick between the posts at Wellington Stadium moments after the start of the additional 10-minute 'golden point' period, with Sunday's clash having finished level at the completion of regulation time.
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Defending champions the Crusaders had suffered a surprise loss to the Highlanders last week and looked destined to slip to consecutive losses for the first time since March 2018 when trailing in the second half.
But the win keeps the Crusaders clear of the Blues at the top of the standings while the Hurricanes are rooted to the bottom, with just one win all season.
The Crusaders raced to an early 14-3 lead thanks to a pair of tries from winger George Bridge.
But the Hurricanes refused to be overawed and Ngani Laumape reduced the deficit with a burst of speed that left four Crusaders players in his wake.
Richie Mo'unga's penalty gave the Crusaders a seven-point cushion but, from the restart, the Hurricanes' James Blackwell picked up possession before offloading for Julian Savea to score.
Jordie Barrett's conversion levelled the game, although Laumape's yellow card in the dying seconds of the half left the Hurricanes short-handed.
Despite being a man down, the Hurricanes took the lead four minutes into the second half when Wes Goosen side-stepped his way past the Crusaders defence.
Sevu Reece's converted try 16 minutes from time levelled the scores again, eventually taking the game into extra time when Havili held his nerve as the Crusaders secured the points.
