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.
CUW
Guest
YES twice , at least , buy an act of GOD and a bumbling ref :P
Scrumma
Guest
And every year since your last title you've been denied, be humble.
Lara
Guest
Crusaders pack is awesome, their midfield is still a work in progress, very much like the Canes , but their inside backs are better.
Lara
Guest
Agree about the front row, close to being the best they have ever had, can do it all. Goodes is heading for higher honours , great prop try and all power ,all game.
CUW
Guest
ha ha haaa , on current form no one will beat the crusaders. IF they dont lose Read , they will win the cup this year !!!
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Too much emphasis being placed on missed opportunities and points against the Chiefs. Against the Highlanders, they also missed opportunities that would have won them the match. The good thing is that as long as they keep winning their destiny is in their own hands and they still have the Crusaders to play, which is a game they can definitely win.
Canetragic
Roar Rookie
How costly are all those missed goals and Woodwards finger tips against the Chiefs going to ultimately prove I wonder?
moaman
Roar Guru
Great result and surprised me--I thought the Lions might pip them,at home and playing at altitude.
mania
Guest
wow. canes finally have a decent tight5. goodes, coles and toomaga-allen are real work horses and our scrums are awesome. our locks are a bit short in fatialofa and fifita but d4m they can work, run and tackle. only vito would be a question mark for me in the loseys tho I have to admit vito is pulling finger more so than previous seasons.
ben
Guest
Best game yet by Fifita and Fatialofa showing real form..outstanding prospects.
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
the score says it all...nothing else need be said...