Sure did Richard, nice to have you back on board. I'll be here tomorrow night too for the Warriors / Blues v Highlanders double-blog super-combo.
Right, just minutes away from kick off now on a slightly cloudy night in Christchurch. There is a strong breeze running right to left and the crowd has filled up nicely.
Conrad Smith now leads out the Hurricanes, crowd actually give him a pretty decent reception.
Now it's Read's turn and they go nuts. That's a spine tingling welcome, they bloody love him here.
Hurricanes kick off and Beauden Barrett sends a deep kick down to Colin Slade.
He kicks back to Andre Taylor and the Hurricanes are on attack.
Alpati Leiua had great position down the left hand side, went to pass it and just dropped it. Bizarre handling error and good opportunity wasted.
There is no dew about tonight but there has already been two handling errors. Crusaders put one down now and Hurricanes have a scrum on halfway.
Hurricanes swing it left to Savea but he is bundled into touch. But, the ref was playing advantage. Barrett kicks for the corner and the Hurricanes will have another good attacking chance.
Hurricanes just 5m out now and making a very positive start.
Can they finish it off? Crusaders defending their line well.
Still perched on the line just 2m out. Advantage being played.
Ben Franks eventually lost the ball and the ref pulls it back for the advantage.
Barrett slots the resulting penalty from 15m in and the Hurricanes have the early lead.
6 MINS - CRUSADERS 0 HURRICANES 3
Butter-fingers everywhere. So many drops. This time it was Kieran Read. Hurricanes scrum just inside their own half.
Hurricanes have made a bright start and look dangerous with ball in hand early on. Now Toomaga-Allen makes a good break.
We are checking with the TMO, here's what happened.
Savea SMASHED Kieran Read, bumped him off easily, passed the ball onto Dane Coles who got it to Faifili Levave who touched down. But there were a few bumps in between. It's all happening too fast.
Anyway, try is awarded and now Barrett has slotted the conversion. Hurricanes out to an 8-0 lead.
10 MINS - CRUSADERS 0 HURRICANES 10
Crusaders are struggling early on. Their defence has gaps, handling is poor and they are struggling to get a footing in. But credit must go to the Hurricanes who have come out firing on all cylinders.
Kieran Read finds some space out on the right wing, gets his pass away but TJ Perenara has made a high tackle on Matt Todd and Crusaders have a penalty.
Crusaders attack 30m out but once again, a handling error lets them down.
Long stoppage now as Toomaga-Allen makes way for John Schwalger.
Hurricanes go right from the scrum and make good ground. Their backs are looking slick tonight. But Sam Whitelock does well at the ruck and earns his side a penalty. Tom Taylor will kick at goal from 40m.
Taylor just sneaks it over. Points on the board for the Crusaders.
18 MINS - CRUSADERS 3 HURRICANES 10
Penalty Hurricanes. Crusaders infringing at the ruck once again, it's within kicking range but they have kicked for the corner. Great attacking intent.
The Hurricanes are trying to keep the game moving here.
Barrett hits the line hard but is taken down. Just metres away.
TJ Perenara has touched down and the Hurricanes are rewarded.
Shoo... The Canes have come out to play! #CRUvHUR #SuperRugbyby African-Beer via twitter 3/28/2014 6:50:04 AM