A return to form for "talismanic" All Blacks captain Scott Barrett has been hailed by the resurgent Crusaders after they snatched top spot on the Super Rugby standings.
Barrett led from the front in a tense 31-24 win over the Hurricanes on Friday, lifting the Crusaders one point clear of the Chiefs atop the standings.
The modest early season form of veteran lock Barrett had been criticised by former All Blacks Mils Muliaina and Jeff Wilson in the lead-up to the all-New Zealand match in Wellington.
Barrett, 31, conceded he had been below his best but responded with a powerhouse display as the Crusaders forwards laid the platform for a sixth win from eight games.
Coach Rob Penney said he never doubted the 80-test forward would rediscover his imposing best form.
"You know these derby games are brutal, so you need your big boys to step up," Penney told journalists on Friday.
TALISMAN
"Scott's so talismanic for us. His impact on the game was massive and the way he set up the whole week for is a great credit to him, he's a genuine world class player.
"I always said he'll get back to his best and when he does look out and he'll be great for the All Blacks on top of that."
The Crusaders continued their resurgence following a dismal 2024 campaign in which they missed qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
After racing 31-10 ahead, Penney's team had to cling on with just 13 players on the field for much of the final 10 minutes in Wellington following two yellow cards.
He said it underlined their fortitude.
"We weren't able to claw our way out last year with those tight ones and this year we're getting over the line," Penney said.
"The boys are prepared to dig deep for each other as we saw there. We're down to 13 and just hanging on by our fingertips and got the result."
A fifth loss for the Hurricanes leaves them in seventh place.
