Former Stormers wing Kobus van Wyk was the biggest villain in Sunday's Super Rugby Aotearoa clash between his Hurricanes and defending champions the Crusaders.
With the scores locked at 25-all and 11 minutes to go in Wellington, replacement Van Wyk mistakenly passed the ball to the Crusaders’ Mitchell Drummond less than five metres from his own tryline.
The scrumhalf flicked the ball to Richie Mo’unga, who scored the try and converted from the sideline to give his side some breathing room before David Havili crossed with less than five minutes remaining to make it 39-25.
The Crusaders’ first-half tries to Sevu Reece, Brayden Ennor and Jack Goodhue also came not from sustained pressure but by capitalising on Hurricanes’ errors and sweeping down field.
The home side were kept in the match through the boot of flyhalf Jackson Garden-Bachop, who slotted five first-half penalties and a drop goal as the Crusaders fell foul of referee Brendon Pickerill.
PUNISH: Richie Mo’unga scored
That succession of penalties against the visitors continued in the second half and Pickerill sin binned Jack Goodhue, which allowed the home side to narrow the gap to 19-18.
The Canes failed to capitalise on the extra man advantage and Mo’unga kicked two penalties to extend the Crusaders’ lead.
The hosts’ replacement hooker Asafo Aumua then finished off a superb team try to tie the score up at 25-25 and gave the home fans hopes of ending a five-game losing streak to the Crusaders.
But then Van Wyk made the match-defining oopsie.
Hurricanes - Tries: Asafo Aumua;
Conversion: Jackson
Garden-Bachop; Penalties: Garden-Bachop (5).
Crusaders - Tries: Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Richie Mo’unga and David Havili; Conversions: Mo’unga (4); Penalties: Mo’unga (2).