The Wellington Hurricanes’ unbeaten start in Super Rugby Pacific ended yesterday when they lost 27-19 to the ACT Brumbies in Round 10.
A week after losing 46-7 to the second-placed Auckland Blues (8 wins, 1 loss, 36 points) — who won 41-34 over the sixth-placed Queensland Reds (4-5, 22) later yesterday — the Brumbies (7-2, 31) pulled off one of the upsets of the season in beating the Hurricanes.
The third-placed Brumbies have dominated the Hurricanes in Canberra, with the New Zealand side having lost their past six matches in the Australian capital. The top-of-the-table Hurricanes (8-1, 37) last won in Canberra in 2017.
Photo: AFP
Two tries in the middle of the first half allowed the Brumbies to build a 21-5 lead after 19 minutes, which became 24-5 after a penalty to flyhalf Noah Lolesio.
The Hurricanes cut the lead to 24-12 at halftime and outscored the hosts 7-3 in a tight second half, but never held the lead.
The Brumbies were physical and were able to bring their strong ball runners into the game, which they were not able to do against the Blues.
Center and player of the match Tamati Tua was especially effective, scoring a try and making several line breaks.
Earlier yesterday, winger Taniela Rakuro scored two tries as the seventh-placed Fijian Drua (4-5, 17) held on to beat ninth-placed Moana Pasifika (3-6, 14) 24-17 in Lautoka, Fiji.
The eighth-placed Otago Highlanders (3-6, 15) beat the bottom-of-the-table Western Force (2-7, 10) 7-6.
On Friday, the 10th-placed Canterbury Crusaders (2-7, 12) trounced the fifth-placed Melbourne Rebels (5-4, 24) 39-0 and the Waikato Chiefs (6-3, 28), who are fourth, beat the 11th-placed NSW Waratahs (2-7, 12) 38-22.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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