The Crusaders brought some good news to their earthquake-devastated city of Christchurch by taking the New Zealand conference on Saturday with a 16-9 Super Rugby win over the Hurricanes.

The hard-fought victory takes them to 61 points, one more than the Blues on the New Zealand ladder, with both sides qualifying for the top-six playoffs and the Crusaders in with a chance of a home semi-final.

The Crusaders have been forced to play every match away this year since February's quake.

More earthquakes this week disrupted their build-up for the game.

Crusaders' captain Kieran Read said that also served to inspire the win.

"Essentially it was for the people back home. They really motivated us tonight. It's all out there for them," he said.

"We're happy to get the win tonight. We know there's a lot more to go, but this one is really for the people back home who've gone through a lot. The way we stuck to it shows that heart."

The Crusaders ended the regular season with 11 wins from their 16 games and were also credited with a draw when their second-round match against the Hurricanes in February was called off because of the quake.

Saturday's match, played in the Hurricanes' stronghold of Wellington, was in theory a home game for the Crusaders but the crowd was fervently behind the local side, who lined-up with stalwarts Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata and Ma'a Nonu playing their final game for the franchise.

First half honours were shared with Dan Carter and Aaron Cruden kicking two penalties each, as the rival forward packs tussled and the backs struggled to hold the ball in greasy conditions.

The Hurricanes went closest to scoring a try when Hore launched himself from a ruck to touch down beside the posts just before the break, but he was ruled to have been off his feet when he picked up the ball.

Nonu, who had troubled the Crusaders with his powerful running in the first half, helped them to a lead in the first minute of the second spell when he spilled the ball on halfway.

The Crusaders counter-attacked with Zac Guildford stepping around four players, before sending Robbie Fruean over for the sole try of the match, with Carter converting from wide out.

Cruden replied with a penalty for the Hurricanes and was on his way for what seemed a certain try when he was stopped in his tracks a metre short of the line in a front-on tackle by Crusaders' fullback Tom Marshall.

Halfback Andy Ellis then restored the seven-point margin for the Crusaders with with a long-range drop goal.

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