Canes hold off spirited Reds
Comments
0
The Hurricanes fought back from an early setback to beat the Reds 35-19 and retain the Super Rugby lead in Brisbane on Sunday.
The Hurricanes trailed 12-3 after two Samu Kerevi tries in the opening 20 minutes before they hit their straps to lead 20-12 at halftime and go on to seal victory.
The Hurricanes' bonus-point win meant they retained the overall lead in the cometition after fellow Kiwis, the Chiefs had gone top with a 35-27 win over the Western Force on Friday.
The win comes after the Hurricanes' first loss of the season against the defending champion Waratahs at home last week. They have now won five straight games on the road.
Scrumhalf TJ Perenara scored a try double with others going to Callum Gibbins and wing Julian Savea.
Flyhalf Beauden Barrett became the Hurricanes' all-time leading point-scorer with a match haul of 15 points from three conversions and three penalties.
The Reds, who have won just two of their 10 games this season, gave the Hurricanes a fright with Kerevi troubling the All Black midfield pair of Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu with his powerful runs.
Kerevi's two tries gave the home side a flying start, but the Hurricanes hit back with two slashing tries in four minutes just before half time to Perenara and Gibbins.
The Reds scored again just after the break through flank Liam Gill to trail 23-19 before Gill was yellow-carded, leaving his team a man down.
The Hurricanes capitalised, with Savea carrying over two tacklers to score in the left corner before Perenara's second try after a superb return kick run by Matt Proctor to clinch the four-try bonus point with 13 minutes left.
The Hurricanes are at home next weekend for their New Zealand derby with the Crusaders, while the Reds have a bye.
Man of the match: Samu Kerevi was unstoppable in the first half, and his two tries attest to that. His opposite number Ma'a Nonu was also a huge factor in the Hurricanes' domination. However, it was TJ Perenara, and his brace, that was most impressive.
Scorers:
For the Reds:
Tries: Kerevi 2, Gill
Cons: O'Connor 2
For the Hurricanes:
Tries: Perenara 2, Gibbins, J. Savea
Cons: Barrett 3
Pens: Barrett 3
Yellow card: Liam Gill (Reds, 57 – professional foul, offside at the ruck)
Teams:
Reds: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Anthony Fainga'a, 11 James O'Connor, 10 Nick Frisby, 9 Will Genia, 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Adam Korczyk, 5 James Horwill, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 James Hanson, 1 James Slipper (captain).
Replacements: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Sef Faagase, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Marco Kotze, 20 Lolo Fakaosilea, 21 Scott Gale, 22 Campbell Magnay, 23 Chris Kuridrani.
Hurricanes: 15 James Marshall, 14 Matt Proctor, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Brad Shields, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Callum Gibbins, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Motu Matu'u, 1 Reggie Goodes.
Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Chris Eves, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Adam Hill, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Rey Lee-Lo, 23 Cory Jane.
Referee: Nick Briant
Assistant Referees: Matt O'Brien, Damien Mitchelmore
TMO: Ian Smith
ADVERTISEMENT
