THE Barrett and Ioane brothers were on fire yesterday with standout performances to hand the Hurricanes and the Blues wins over Australian opposition.
Reigning champions Hurricanes, led by All Black fly-half Beauden and younger sibling Jordie, beat the Reds 34-15 in Brisbane while Reiko and Akira Ioane helped the Blues dominate the Force 24-15 in Auckland.
Full-back Jordie scored 14 points from a try, three conversions and a penalty goal, while World Player of the Year Beauden scored the clinching try in the final minute.
Tries from Julian Savea and TJ Perenara gave Hurricanes a 14-0 lead after 19 minutes but the Reds clawed back to trail 14-12 at half-time after tries from winger Chris Kuridrani and No 8 Scott Higginbotham.
The Hurricanes dominated territory and possession in the second half and had three tries disallowed by the television match official before the Barrett brothers added to Vince Aso’s try in the second half with one each late on.
“It’s always tough coming here and the Reds have pushed most teams this season so we knew we were going to have our hands full,” said skipper TJ Perenara, who scored an 80-metre intercept try in the first half.
“We started well and the Reds put us under the pump for a big period and we have to be more clinical in what we’re doing and execute a bit better.”
This story is from the April 02,2017 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 02,2017 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Stade are heading in right direction
IS there an early winter equivalent to the idiom about solitary swallows and the impending arrival of summer? Because – whatever it might be, something involving snowflakes, perhaps, or frosts – that’s the situation at Stade Francais right now.
Borthwick needs to sort out defence
WELL surprise, surprise England at last managed to win at home in front of a nearly full Allianz stadium even if it was against a team that they had thrashed just a few months earlier.
Rowland is gearing up for world cup challenge
HELENA Rowland believes England Women have been given advance warning that next year’s Rugby World Cup is to be no formality.
All my energy is going into Beziers
IT’S a dream to be a part-share owner of AS Beziers Hérault, the 11-time French champions, along with Andrew Mehrtens and Bobby Skinstad.
Fylde left to count cost of the cards
LEEDS TYKES were thankful for their resolute defence as they clung on to claim a narrow win against Fylde.
O'Grady glad to learn his trade in tough surroundings
EXETER University flyhalf Lewis O’Grady is enjoying the physicality of National 2 West and insists it is the best preparation for his transition to senior rugby after graduation.
It's Bristol or nothing for me - Cunningham
PROUD Bristolian Hollie Cunningham hopes to inspire the next generation of Bears players and can’t see herself ever playing for anyone else.
Bristol hit heights to take down champions
BRISTOL Bears head coach Dave Ward could not hide his delight following an impressive victory over reigning PWR champions Gloucester Hartpury at Kingsholm.
Good to see the Eagles soaring again
THAT’S a wrap for the autumn Tests and it would be remiss not to scroll through the undercard and round up the best of the action outside of the A list matches. A quick crib sheet for those not paying attention at the back.
Thomas ready for Edinburgh clash
FRESH from his dream Wales debut, Freddie Thomas has set his sights on helping Gloucester conquer Europe.
