Ngani Laumape scored three tries as the Hurricanes romped to a 43-13 bonus-point victory in Palmerston North on Friday
The Hurricanes came into this match with a point to prove. They were poor in the round two clash against the Crusaders and on another day may have conceded 50 rather than 38 points.
The senior men stood up in this fixture against the Brumbies. Dane Coles was a force around the park, and Beauden Barrett – in his first game of 2019 – controlled the contest well from the flyhalf position.
Coles and Laumape crossed the line to see the hosts leading 14-0 after 14 minutes. The Hurricanes allowed the Brumbies back into the game, though, when the visitors capitalised on some poor discipline and eventually scored via a well-executed lineout drive.
They regained control before half-time, though. Coles was prominent in the buildup to the team’s third try, popping up in the midfield and setting up his team-mates for a wide break. The hooker was on hand to finish from the next phase, diving spectacularly to plant the ball down next to the corner post.