Fineanganofo equals Super Rugby record as Hurricanes power past Blues

Newcastle-bound winger Fehi Fineanganofo equalled the Super Rugby try-scoring season record as the Hurricanes powered past the Blues 47-24 at Eden Park, seeing them take hold of top spot on the ladder with two rounds remaining.

Fineanganofo drew level with the previous record-setting feats of ACT Brumbies great Joe Roff and former Hurricanes flyer Ben Lam, racing away for a try during the second half. That saw the visitors extend their already commanding advantage to 26 points with 20 to play.

This was another statement performance from the ladder-leading Hurricanes, who seemed to be at risk of falling behind on the scoreboard early. Pasilio Tosi was penalised in the third minute at the breakdown, with the Blues opting to kick for the corner.

The Blues set up for an attacking lineout inside the red zone, and made it a few metres out from the line, as the search for the opening points continued. It was the best attacking chance of the match so far, but the home side were pinned for obstruction.

As the match went on, the Blues continued to take charge in both the territory and possession battles. It was a similar story to the Friday night bout between the Chiefs and Highlanders, with the visitors taking the lead early, despite stats favouring the hosts in Hamilton.

The Blues had 63 per cent of possession but the Hurricanes struck first, with Brave Blossoms skipper Warner Dearns charging down an attempted bomb from Beauden Barrett. Dearns won the race to the ball, touching down for the first points on the eight-minute mark.

This was when the Hurricanes really took control.

In a three-minute span, the Hurricanes raced out to a 14-point lead.

The Canes spread the ball wide right, with halfback Ere Enari finding Fineanganofo unmarked. Fineanganofo put a kick ahead, which was ultimately regathered by the No. 9, who set up Jordie Barrett with a pop pass off the deck.

From the opening 20 minutes, it was a fairly strong performance from the Canes, with a wayward penalty attempt from Ruben Love standing out as a rare blip. The Hurricanes continued to look the more threatening of the two sides with the ball.

Kini Naholo was stopped a few metres shy of the line in the dying stages of the half, but the men from the capital kept the attacking pressure on. After building a few more faces, Tosi charged onto the ball at full pace, and defenders Patrick Tuipulotu and Xavi Taele couldn’t stop the prop.

It was 21-0 at the break.

The Hurricanes were within inches of adding to their tally early in the second term, after Love put a kick ahead for Jordie Barrett to chase. Barrett kicked ahead for Billy Proctor, but brother Beauden Barrett won the race to the ball for the Blues.

Instead, the Blues scored some much-needed bounce-back points through Malachi Wrampling around the 50-minute mark. The loose forward charged through a tackle attempt from Brad Shields and Proctor en route to the try line.

But the Hurricanes hit back almost immediately.

Off an attacking maul inside the Blues 22, Enari peeled off toward the blindside. The halfback threw a no-look inside ball to Kini Naholo, who flew at a blistering pace to the house for another five-pointer for the visiting side.

Then, it was time for history. Fineanganofo touched down for the record-equalling points in the 59^th minute. The Hurricanes winger will have a chance to break the record next week against the Highlanders or the week after against the Crusaders.

Replacement hooker Raymond Tuputupu added to the Hurricanes lead with the team’s six try in a 62-minute blitz. That saw them race out to a staggering 33-point lead with still more than 15 to play at the Garden.

The Blues hit back with quick tries to AJ Lam and Kurle Eklund, with Stephen Perofeta adding the extras after the second five-pointer. Another try to lock Sam Darry in the dying stages saw the Blues deny the Hurricanes a winning bonus point.

At least that’s how it seemed.

Peter Lakai crashed over from a rolling maul in the final play, with the Hurricanes taking five points back with them to New Zealand’s windy capital.