In a thrilling see-saw contest, the Hurricanes clinched a 29-27 win. The match-winning try scored by the Hurricanes with three minutes left to go in the game. With this win, the Hurricanes are one point behind the Blues on the log who are still in the second place.
A penalty immediately after the kick-off gave the Blues a 3-0 lead. The Hurricanes immediately struck back with a brilliant try from Ngani Laumape who beat Beauden Barrett with his feet and then steamrolled over Otere Black. With nine minutes on the clock, Beauden Barrett scored a brilliant individual try to make up for his defensive error earlier that let to the try of Laumape. A first ten minutes of brilliant action saw the Blues lead the Hurricanes with 10-7.
The last ten minutes of the first quarter was action-packed with a very physical Hurricanes "unlucky" to not be in the lead. The Blues lead 10-7 with 60 minutes left on the clock.
The Blues were the first to score in the second quarter as they used the little opportunities they got to attack to score a forwards try. The Hurricanes at this stage guilty of not converting their scoring opportunities into points and trailed 7-15 with 10 minutes to go in the first half. As in the first ten minutes of the first half, the Hurricanes struck back immediately after the Blues scored with a try to cut the lead of the Blues to 15-12.
An absolute brilliant first half ended with Jordie Barrett converting a penalty goal to make it all even at 15-15. The Hurricanes inability to converted scoring opportunities the main reason for them not in the lead as they are in control of everything except the scoreboard.
This one is all set up for a classic! Plenty of thrills and spills in the opening forty minutes with both sides producing two tries of the highest quality including backline brilliance and forward grunt. The rapid deteriorating conditions could be the ultimate deciding factor with the forwards becoming ever more vital.
Hurricanes captain Dan Coles opened the scoring in the third quarter to take the lead with 22-15. A try by the Blues again levelled the score at 22-22 with 20 minutes to go in the game.
A third try from a lineout by the Blues saw them take the lead with 27-22. With 15 minutes to go the Hurricanes is not as physical anymore in the defence as well as the attack. A definite shift of momentum at this stage. The Blues who looked more and more to win their third game against the Hurricanes in a row.
Yet another forward try scored from a lineout, this time by the Hurricanes, levelled the score at 27-27. A perfect conversion by Jordie Barrett, with three minutes to go, gave the win to the deserving Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes will face the unbeaten Crusaders next weekend while the Blues will host a Chiefs side that is still looking for their first win in the 2020 Super Rugby Aotearoa competition.
Scorers:
Hurricanes: Tries: Ngani Laumape, Reed Prinsep, Dane Coles, Asafo Aumua. Conversions: Jordie Barrett (3). Penalty: Jordie Barrett.
Blues: Tries: Beauden Barrett, Dalton Papali'i, Akira Ioane, Kurt Ekland. Conversion: Otere Black (2). Penalty: Otere Black.
The Hurricanes: 1. Ben May, 2. Dane Coles [cc], 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Scott Scrafton, 6. Reed Prinsep, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. TJ Perenara [cc], 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11. Ben Lam, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 14. Kobus Van Wyk, 15. Jordie Barrett. Replacements: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Fraser Armstrong, 18. Alex Fidow, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Vaea Fifita, 21. Jamie Booth, 22. Billy Proctor, 23. Wes Goosen.
Blues: 1. Alex Hodgman, 2. Kurt Eklund, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Josh Goodhue, 6. Aaron Carroll, 7. Dalton Papalii, 8. Akira Ioane, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Otere Black, 11. Mark Telea, 12. Harry Plummer, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Beauden Barrett. Reserves: 16. Tolai Luteru, 17. Marcel Renata, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20. Tony Lamborn, 21. Jonathan Ruru, 22. TJ Faiane, 23. Matt Duffie.