New Zealand’s Wellington Hurricanes stretched their winning streak to four games with a 33-15 Super 14 smashing of the ACT Brumbies at Canberra Stadium on Friday.
The Hurricanes blew away the weakened Brumbies by five tries to two and condemned the Brumbies to their first home defeat in seven matches, stretching back over a year.
Wellington, notoriously a hot-and-cold team, were far too clinical on the night for the error-prone Brumbies after leading just 7-3 at half-time.
The bonus point victory lifted the Hurricanes above the New South Wales Waratahs, Auckland Blues and Coastal Sharks into second spot heading into the weekend’s fifth round of matches.
The Brumbies, missing a chunk of injured leading stars, slumped to eighth after the Western Stormers’ victory over the Waikato Chiefs earlier on Friday.
The Hurricanes’ powerful back row trio dominated at the breakdown, with All Blacks flanker Chris Masoe scoring two second-half tries.
Hooker Andrew Hore also scored after half-time, while wingers Shannon Paku and Hosea Gear rounded off the try-scorers.
The Brumbies led 3-0 through an early penalty to fullback Mark Gerrard, but failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage after Hurricanes centre Tamati Ellison was yellow-carded for a high tackle on winger Francis Fainfo.
Paku set up the Hurricanes’ 7-3 half-time lead when the Brumbies turned the ball over near halfway and Gear and centre Conrad Smith combined to send Paku clear.
The Hurricanes dominated for most of the second half and Hore spun over in the 55th minute following sustained pressure.
The Brumbies lost Wallabies back-rower Stephen Hoiles to the sin bin for abusive language to South African referee Willie Roos in disputing Hore’s try.
The home team scored next with replacement flanker Julian Salvi crossing after a break from substitute scrumhalf Josh Holmes.
A breakaway try to Gear and Masoe’s brace helped push the Hurricanes to a 33-8 buffer, while centre Tyrone Smith scored a late try for the Brumbies.
The Brumbies and the Hurricanes have next week off with a bye. — Sapa-AFP