The Wrap: Blues still must prove they can stand up when it counts, Brumbies' target exposed
With the race for positions at the rear of the Super Rugby finals grid settled early on Saturday afternoon, attention switched to the pointy…
The Hurricanes’ long-held dominance over the Lions has scaled new heights with a 50-17 thrashing of the home side in Johannesburg.
Wingers Julian Savea and Cory Jane bagged doubles as the Hurricanes ran in seven tries to three to strengthen their bid for a play-off berth.
The visitors led 36-5 at halftime and always looked on course to beat the South African side for a 14th time in 17 meetings.
They had never reached a half-century against them before while the 33-point margin was also a record.
The error-prone Lions couldn’t halt the fluent attack of the Hurricanes set up by a muscular forward effort.
Locks Michael Fatialofa and Vaea Fifita set the scene with some bruising early defence as the Lions enjoyed the early possession.
Intercept tries to Jane and Matt Proctor took the puff out of the visitors as the Hurricanes’ confidence grew.
Their most memorable try came on the stroke of halftime when loosehead prop Reggie Goodes burst down the wing, bust through one defender and grounded the ball spectacularly as his body was transgressing the touchline.
Centre Lionel Mapoe and flanker Jaco Kriel crossed for the Lions after halftime but the Hurricanes rediscovered their potency to create late tries to centre Vince Aso and Savea.
The sixth win of the campaign lifts the Hurricanes to within six points of New Zealand conference leaders the Chiefs and one point behind the second-placed Crusaders heading into their second South African tour game against the Sharks.
The Lions, who had won their three previous games, continue to lead the African 2 conference by five points from the Sharks. Their three losses are all to New Zealand teams.
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