Cape Town - The Hurricanes bounced back to form in spectacular fashion when they thumped a high-flying Brumbies side in Palmerston North on Friday.
As it happened: Hurricanes v Brumbies
The Hurricanes won 43-13 after leading 19-8 at half-time.
The Hurricanes, coming off a 38-22 defeat to the Crusaders last weekend, scored six tries thanks to a hat-trick from centre Ngani Laumape, a brace by hooker Dane Coles and a late try by lock James Blackwell. Flyhalf Beauden Barrett, making his first start of the season, was on target with four conversions and a penalty, while replacement pivot Jackson Garden-Bachop added a conversion.
The Brumbies, who would've fancied their chances after beating the Chiefs 54-17 six days ago, replied with tries by hooker Folau Fainga’a and replacement back Tom Wright. Flyhalf Christian Lealiifano added a penalty.
The Hurricanes picked up a full-house of five points to move top of the New Zealand Conference and into second place in the Overall log.
The Brumbies left empty-handed, but stayed top of the Australian Conference and third in the Overall standings.
In next weekend's Round 4 action, the Hurricanes host the Highlanders in Wellington (Friday, March 8 at 08:35 SA time), while the Brumbies are on the road again, this time in Melbourne to face the Rebels (Friday, March 8 at 10:45 SA time).
Teams:
Hurricanes
15 Chase Tiatia, 14 Vince Aso, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Liam Mitchell, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Ben May, 2 Dane Coles (captain), 1 Chris Eves
Substitutes: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Richard Judd, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Wes Goosen
Brumbies
15 Tom Banks, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Chance Peni, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, 7 David Pocock, 6 Pete Samu, 5 Blake Enever, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio
Substitutes: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 James Slipper, 18 Leslie Leauluaialii-Makin, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Tom Cusack, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Wharenui Hawera, 23 Tom Wright
