The Hurricanes rallied to come from behind and beat the Chiefs 23-19 in a tense Super Rugby warm-up match played in extremely wet conditions at the Owen Delany Park on Friday.
The pouring rain would prove to have more of a say in the match than the silky skills of the Chiefs star-studded backline, and the gritty victory will be a boost for a Hurricanes teram that many are writing off before the season has even started.
More to follow...
The scorers:
For the Chiefs:
Try: Leonard
Con: Cruden
Pens: Cruden 4
For the Hurricanes:
Tries: Lam, Moran
Con: Barrett
Pens: Barrett 3
Teams:
Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Tim Nanai-Williams, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Sam Cane, 5 Craig Clarke, 4 Mike Fitzgerald, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacements: Marcel Cummings-Toone, Sona Taumalolo, Shane Cleaver, Brodie Retallick, Scott Waldrom, Ronald Raaymakers, Andrew Horrell, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Declan ODonnell, Jackson Willison, Asaeli Tikoirotuma.
Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Alapati Leiua, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Richard Buckman, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Victor Vito (captain), 7 Jack Lam, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Jeremy Thrush, 4 James Broadhurst, 3 Ben May, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Reggie Goodes.
Replacements - from: Tristan Moran, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Motu Matu'u, Michael Bent, Jason Eaton, Mike Coman, Scott Fuglistaller, Chris Eaton, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Jayden Hayward, Tim Bateman.
Referee: Chris/Garratt
Assistant referees: Garratt/Chris, Grant Stuart
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