Hurricanes outclass the Waratahs

The Hurricanes put the Waratahs participation in the Super Rugby play offs in doubt with a 17-28 victory in Sydney at the Allianz Stadium.

The result moves the Hurricanes up to 48 points so they have qualified for the play offs and next week’s results will determine where they will play.

The result is a boost for the Brumbies who were beaten by the Blues earlier in the round but still lead the Australian Conference with one match to play.

The Waratahs now need the Western Force to beat the Brumbies and for them to win their final match next week against the Blues in Auckland.

A Highlanders victory later in the round would ensure that only one Australian side will participate in the play offs.

The Hurricanes outscored the Waratahs by three tries to two in the match.

While the Hurricanes didn’t win as comfortably as the Blues, Chiefs and Crusaders, who all had big wins this weekend, they did enough to deny the Waratahs a bonus point for finishing within seven points.

As a result, the Waratahs stay just below the Brumbies and with one match remaining, they will struggle to make the playoffs.

The signs weren’t good for the Waratahs early on as the Hurricanes got away to a good start, flyhalf Beauden Barrett kicking two early penalties for a 6-0 lead.

They extended that to 11-0 when Barrett gathered a Corey Jane kick ahead to score out wide.

The Waratahs began to claw their way back into the game and were rewarded for their effort when giant winger Taqele Naiyaravoro crashed over after 26 minutes.

They got to within one point at the break when Hurricanes centre Willis Halaholo was sinbinned for a high tackle right on halftime and Bernard Foley converted the penalty from right in front.

Israel Folau then put the Waratahs in front for the first time in the match when he took advantage of Halaholo’s absence to cross for a converted try and a 17-11 lead.

However, the Hurricanes hit back almost straight away when Jane crossed, followed by a third Barrett penalty.

Naiyaravoro was then shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Barrett and the Hurricanes struck soon afterwards, with a simple backline move finding an unmarked Julian Savea, who crossed for the final score of the match.

Next week in the final round of the Super Rugby regular season the Hurricanes travel to Christchurch to play the Crusaders.

Final Score Waratahs 17 (10)  Hurricanes 28 (11)

Scorers

Waratahs
Tries -T. Naiyaravoro, I.Folau
Pen – B.Foley
Con – B.Foley 2
Drop –
Cards –  T.Naiyaravoro (57th min yellow)

Hurricanes
Tries – B.Barrett, C.Jane, J.Savea
Pen – B.Barrett 3
Con -B.Barrett 2
Drop –
Cards – W.Halaholo (42nd minute yellow)

Match Officials
Referee: Chris Pollock
Assistant Ref 1:Andrew Lees
Assistant Ref 2: James Leckie
TMO :Ian Smith

Teams

Waratahs

Paddy Ryan , Tatafu Polota-Nau , Tom Robertson , David Dennis (VC), Will Skelton, Dean Mumm, Michael Hooper (C), Wycliff Palu , Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Matt Carraro , Rob Horne, Israel Folau, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Andrew Kellaway ,

Replacements: Hugh Roach , Jeremy Tilse , Angus Ta’avao, Sam Lousi , Jack Dempsey, Matt Lucas, David Horwitz, Reece Robinson

Hurricanes

15 James Marshall , 14 Cory Jane , 13 Matt Proctor , 12 Willis Halaholo , 11 Julian Savea , 10 Beauden Barrett , 9 TJ Perenara (vc) , 8 Victor Vito , 7 Ardie Savea , 6 Brad Shields , 5 Michael Fatialofa , 4 Vaea Fifita , 3 Chris Eves , 2 Dane Coles (c) , 1 Reggie Goodes

Replacements: Ricky Riccitelli, Ben May, Loni Uhila, Mark Abbott, Callum Gibbins, Jamison Gibson Park, Willis Halaholo, Jason Woodward.