Jordie Barrett inspired the Hurricanes to a 47-19 bonus-point win over the Chiefs to strengthen their position in the New Zealand Conference.
The result sees the second-placed Hurricanes move within seven points of the Crusaders at the top of the New Zealand conference, while the struggling Chiefs lost further ground at the foot of the standings.
In a breathless contest played at ferocious pace, the Chiefs looked dead and buried having gone 21-0 down after just 17 minutes. They particularly battled to keep the Hurricanes’ outside backs at bay in the early stages.
But the visitors came back nicely as the game progressed to get within nine, before the Hurricanes found their second wind to close out the match.
Barrett was the Hurricanes’ destroyer-in-chief with 91 running meters, 10 defenders beaten, two clean breaks and two offloads to go with his try double in the first half alone, while he also produced a strong second-half performance.
😍 Jordie Barrett…yah kidding! Take a bow!
Want to see more of this from the Barrett brothers? Tune into @skysportnz right now!#HURvCHI pic.twitter.com/gX3DQRORaO
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) April 27, 2019
After Barrett’s brace in the opening seven minutes, lock Kane Le’eaupepe powered over from close quarters on the back of a couple of strong pick and go’s after a lineout.
The Chiefs looked to get something going for them with a long sequence of phases and their perseverance was rewarded when Luke Jacobson dotted down. There would be another try either way before the break as the Hurricanes took a 28-12 lead.
The Chiefs looked to be on the comeback trail when a quick seven points got them going early in the second half, but that would be their last highlight of the game as the Hurricanes dominated proceedings thereafter to seal the result.
Wing Wes Goosen and Ardie Savea scored in quick succession to get the Canes to 40 points and then debutant utility back Salesi Rayasi wrapped up the scoring with just his second touch. This was the most tries and points the Hurricanes have ever scored in a match against the Chiefs.
Hurricanes – Tries: Jordie Barrett (2), Kane Le’eaupepe, TJ Perenara, Wes Goosen, Ardie Savea, Salesi Rayasi. Conversions: Beauden Barrett (6)
Chiefs – Tries: Luke Jacobson, Ataata Moeakiola, Lachlan Boshier. Conversions: Marty McKenzie (2).
Hurricanes – 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Chase Tiatia, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara (c), 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Kane Le’aupepe, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Ben May, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Fraser Armstrong.
Subs: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Sam Henwood, 21 Richard Judd, 22 James Marshall, 23 Salesi Rayasi.
Chiefs – 15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Ataata Moeakiola, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Tyler Ardron, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Michael Allardice (c), 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Atu Moli.
Subs: 16 Liam Polwart, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Jesse Parete, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Stephen Donald, 23 Alex Nankivell.
Photo: Getty Images