The seven-time reigning champions had lost all their first five games this season before Friday’s 3726 victory over the Chiefs.
“It’s amazing. The boys fronted up tonight,” said Crusaders captain Tom Christie. “They lifted from what we’ve shown in the past. It just shows through a little bit of adversity how we’ve stuck together. There’s a long way to go yet, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
McNicholl, who won 12 caps for Wales, the last against Italy in 2022, has been an energetic addition to the Crusaders attack after returning to Christchurch following an eight-year absence.
He scored his first try in the 12th minute after an opening try to Chay Fihaki. Emoni Narawa and George Bell scored for the Chiefs before the break but the hosts crossed again through Cullen Grace.
The Crusaders started the second half with an extraordinary try by hooker George Bell, who was put into a gap in the Chiefs’ backline with a short pass from fly-half Riley Hohepa, as the front row showed pace on an angled run to the left corner. After a try from Chiefs centre Anton Lienert-Brown, McNicholl’s second swung the match.
The league-leading Hurricanes inflicted more Kiwi misery on the Highlanders, who are yet to taste victory against a fellow New Zealand side in three years. All Blacks scrum-half Cam Roigard scored a try, set up two others and limped off injured as the Hurricanes crushed the Highlanders 47-12 to maintain their dominant start to the season.
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