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The Hurricanes avenged their round six loss to Moana Pasifika by taking down the competition newcomers 53 points to 12 at Sky Stadium this evening.
The home side’s superiority at the set-piece made life tough for the visitors across the park, with a number of their scores coming off the back of having the upper hand at a scrum or line-out.
It will serve as a much-needed confidence booster heading into this weekend’s clash against the Highlanders before they then jet off over the ditch to play the Reds.
Here’s how the Hurricanes rated:
1. Alex Fidow 5/10
One of the more dangerous individuals when close to the white wash. Was a terror when carrying only he couldn’t quite show the same mongrel on the flip side.
2. Kianu Kereru-Symes – 5
Shook off some early line-out wobbles to turn in a productive outing. Practically fell over the line for his try after waltzing in at the tail of the maul.
3. Tevita Mafileo – 5
All business from the Bay of Plenty prop. Chipped in with seven tackles and like Fidow ran with purpose.
4. Isaia Walker-Leawere – 5
Back in action after a lengthy stint on the sideline. Pulled down the majority of the line-outs and had a few decent charges in open play. A solid 60 minutes from the Coast’s finest.
5. Tom Parsons – 5
Topped the tackle count for the Canes with 13 all while doing his best to ensure TJ Perenara had clean rucks to work from.
6. Reed Prinsep – 6
Another quietly consistent performance for tonight’s stand-in skipper. Isn’t much of an athlete yet seems to find a way to get to or over the advantage line. Only the one missed tackle in what was otherwise a faultless game from the blindside.
7. Blake Gibson – 5
Rough and rugged from the big blonde. Got up in the face of the opposition’s ball runners and only had a pair of misses. Was one of three forwards to cross the chalk, but the only player to have his name down twice.
8. Devan Flanders – N/A
Left the paddock 20 minutes in with a knee injury.
9. TJ Perenara – 6
A constant voice for his forwards’ ears and the referee’s when needed. His service wasn’t as quick as it could have been, however, his running game and organisation of the bog boys kept the Canes on the front foot.
10. Aidan Morgan – 6
Worked well in tandem with Perenara to direct the team around the park. Exhibited great distribution skills under pressure and put himself in harm’s way going in both directions.
11. Salesi Rayasi – 5
Wasn’t afforded the same room as teammate, Wes Goosen, but that’s no excuse for not looking for other ways to find it. Needed to work harder off the ball despite looking good in patches to press his claims in the wake of Savea and Goosen getting their names in the paper.
12. Peter Umaga-Jensen – 5
A few blunders early, but once settled had some dominant carries which laid the platform for others to flourish. Not sure second five is where he’s best deployed.
13. Bailyn Sullivan – 5
Helped straighten the line of attack when things were drifting and managed to get his arms free to further propel his boys forward after a bust. Appears to be the most threatening of the midfield crop in the capital.
14. Wes Goosen – 7
Energetic from the jump. One of the few times he wasn’t running in open pasture was when he was on the end of some great phase play to bag a dot. Should retain a shirt in the starting side this weekend having done all the above and finishing the fixture with an eye-popping 8 defenders beaten.
15. Ruben Love – 6
Full of running with the freedom of the 15 jumper. Got around the first tackler with ease and controlled the kicking duties in the absence of Jordie Barrett. Showed a good turn of pace to save a try in the first half as well.
Reserves:
16. Bruce Kauika-Petersen – N/A
Saw out the final 10 minutes to earn a cap for the yellow and black.
17. Jared Proffit – 5
Made his debut after being brought on for the last 20 minutes.
18. Pasilio Tosi – 5
Backed up his first appearance last weekend with another tidy display.
19. Justin Sangster – N/A
20. TK Howden – 5
An early appearance off the bench with Flanders pulling up lame.
21. Cam Roigard – 5
Gave his opposite as little time to think at the set piece and popped up nicely in support.
22. Teihorangi Walden – N/A
23. Josh Moorby – 5
Subbed on for Love after he tweaked something in his leg while kicking.
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