DESPITE SEEING FOUR tries ruled out by the TMO and conceding a sensational score by Scott Higginbotham, the Barrett brothers-inspired Hurricanes forced a bonus point 34 – 15 win over the Reds in Brisbane this morning.
Fullback Jordie scored 14 points from a try, three conversions and a penalty goal, while All Black brother Beauden scored a try in the final minute.
The ‘Canes led 14-0 after 19 minutes but the Reds clawed back to trail 14-12 at half-time after tries from winger Chris Kuridrani and number eight Higginbotham – who finished off the score after making space with audacious behind-the-back offload.
The Hurricanes dominated territory and possession in the second half and, after a Beauden score was chalked off in the first-half, they had more three tries disallowed by Barrett tries in the final stages to wrap up victory.
Wellington have won 13 of their last 15 games against the Reds, and it was their sixth win in Brisbane.
“It’s always tough coming here and the Reds have pushed most teams this season. We knew we were going to have our hands full,” said skipper TJ Perenara, who scored a 80-metre intercept try in the first half.
“We started well and the Reds put us under the pump for a big period and we have to be more clinical in what we’re doing and execute a bit better.”
The Hurricanes took an early grip with tries by Julian Savea and Perenara.
The margin looked set to be extended to 19-0 in the 24th minute, when Beauden Barrett kicked a dropped Reds ball and won a race to it. But not only was the try disallowed on video review, referee Angus Gardner sent inside centre Ngani Laumape to the sin bin for a charge on Jake McIntyre.
With the Hurricanes down a man, Higginbotham helped the Reds hit back before half-time. But after the break the visitors took charge again, Vince Aso brought some breathing space at 19-12 but they struggled to put away the Reds.
The home side, to their credit, showed great heart in defying the Hurricanes – forcing them into the errors which pushed three potential tries outside of the law – until the late salvo from the Barrett brothers sealed the result.
A downside to the Hurricanes victory was an injury to livewire number eight Ardie Savea in the final minutes.
The Hurricanes victory continued the New Zealand dominance of Australian opposition with a 10-0 record in this season’s encounters and 32-3 in their past 35 games.
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