The Hurricanes have rebounded decisively from their first loss of the season in Super Rugby Pacific, scoring seven tries in a 41-12 bonus point win over the Waratahs.
The Hurricanes’ unbeaten start to the season came to an end after eight matches last weekend when they lost in Canberra to the Brumbies.
The Hurricanes fielded a much-changed team Friday — and were forced to call on their fourth-string hooker after a series of injuries in that position — but made an emphatic return to form, scoring four tries to lead 26-0 after 27 minutes.
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The Hurricanes weren’t able to keep up that start and it wasn’t until the 60th minute that they added a fifth try through replacement winger Salesi Rayasi.
That restored the Hurricanes' momentum and Rayasi scored again in the 70th minute. Between tries he left the field to receive treatment for a dislocated finger.
“I guess just bouncing back from last week (was pleasing),” Hurricanes captain Billy Proctor said.
“I think we came out and started the game really strong which was what we wanted and went a long way to winning this game."
The Hurricanes’ scrum again was a strong part of their performance and they used it as a lever to score their first try.
The Waratahs chose to take a scrum from a differential free kick and the Hurricanes shoved them off their own ball and moved the ball wide quickly for Proctor to score.
Another solid scrum featured in their second try to flyhalf Brett Cameron but there were 10 phases of strong running and support play between the set piece and try.
The Hurricanes ball-running, offloading and support play was exceptional in that first 30 minutes when they had almost 95 per cent of territory. They found weak shoulders in defence and were able to pass to support players in gaps.
Backrowers Brayden Iose and Devan Flanders, prop Pouri Rakete-Stones, centre Riley Higgins and hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes all were exceptional in that part of the Hurricanes game while fullback Ruben Love was dangerous returning kicks.
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The Hurricanes’ third try was launched by Love from within their own half and finished many passes later with a try to Josh Moorby. Then Iose strolled over untouched after outstanding carries by Peter Lakai, Rakete-Stones and others.
The Waratahs improved at the end of the first half, going close to scoring through winger Dylan Pietsch. They also started the second half well, competing strongly until Rayasi’s first try.
The Waratahs will take some consolation from late tries to Vuate Karawalevu and Hugh Sinclair.
Scrumhalf TJ Perenara scored the Hurricanes’ last try after the full-time siren to move clear atop the all-time Super Rugby try-scorers list with 63.
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Waratahs captain Jake Gordon lamented his side's inability to match the Wellingtonians, leaving the Sydneysiders lagging.
"I thought the way they played with speed at the start of the game was hard to stay with," said Gordon.
"Up front, we knew they were powerful. We really had trouble containing them. They're a quality team.
"It's a little bit cliche, I'm probably going to have to watch a little bit of it (back). We do some good stuff and we sort of let ourselves down.
"I thought some of the play late in that second half had some really good moments but against a quality team like them we need to do it for longer."
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The Waratahs' draw doesn't get any easier with the Brumbies to come in round 12.
"We're going to have to review this and review this pretty heavily," said Gordon.
"It's a sprint this competition. We have to move on pretty quick."
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