Carter kick saves Canterbury from Shark attack

NEW Zealand provincial powerhouses Wellington Hurricanes and Canterbury Crusaders have staked early claims to this year’s Super 14 rugby title.

The Hurricanes and defending champion Crusaders remain unbeaten after three rounds of the southern hemisphere provincial series with flattering wins over South African teams.

Wellington edged Canterbury by a point at the top after taking a scoring bonus point for a third straight week in a 29-16 win at home to Johannesburg’s Golden Cats at home, while the Crusaders needed a late drop goal to sink Durban’s Coastal Sharks 22-20 in Timaru in New Zealand.