Hurricanes snatch victory from Blues

Behind a standout display from Ardie Savea, last year's runners‑up, the Hurricanes have opened their account in Super Rugby after securing a hard‑fought 23‑19 victory over the Blues in Auckland last night.

The Hurricanes put up a heroic defensive effort late in the second half when the Blues were camping inside their 22 for long periods in a bid to secure victory.

The win also came with a cost as winger, Nehe Milner‑Skudder dislocated his shoulder.

After making an impact by setting up TJ Perenara's try with a deft kick, Milner‑Skudder went down on his left shoulder early in the second half, having to leave the field.

Fellow All Blacks star Julian Savea was also forced to leave the field but did not sustain a serious injury, while Brad Shields injured his thumb.

Perenara scored two tries while Victor Vito got one for the Hurricanes.

Meanwhile, Australian Conference leaders the Brumbies retained their unbeaten status after notching a 31‑14 victory over the Western Force in Perth.

The Brumbies clinical first half showing set up their win and they outscored their hosts four tries to two after leading 17‑7 at half‑time.

In today’s matches, the Highlanders will play the Lions at 6.35pm, The Rebels will take on the Reds at 8.40pm while the Sunwolves will face the Cheetahs at 10.50pm.

Hurricanes vs Blues

The scorers:

For Blues:
Tries: Ranger, Moala
Pens: West 3

For Hurricanes:
Tries: Perenara 2, Vito
Con: Barrett
Pens: Barrett 2
Yellow Card: Vito

Blues: 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Male Su’a, 12 George Moala, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Jerome Kaino (c), 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Steven Luatua, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Sam Lock, 22 Matt McGahan, 23 Melani Nanai

Hurricanes: 15 James Marshall, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara (c), 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Mark Abbott, 4 Blade Thomson, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Leni Apisai, 1 Reggie Goodes
Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Loni Uhila, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Willis Halaholo, 23 Cory Jane

Brumbies vs Western Force

The scorers:

For Force:
Tries: Morahan, Tapuai
Cons: Lance, Grant
Yellow card: Cowan, Masirewa

For Brumbies:
Tries: Moore, Toomua, Tomane, Mann-Rea
Cons: Lealiifano 4
Pens: Lealiifano 
Yellow card: Cubelli

Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Solomoni (Junior Rasolea), 11 Semisi Masirewa, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Brynard Stander, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Ross Haylett-Petty, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Heath Tessmann, 1 Pekahou Cowan
Replacements: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Guy Millar, 19 Sitiveni (Stevie) Mafi, 20 Angus Cottrell, 21 Alby Mathewson, 22 Peter Grant, 23 Marcel Brache

Brumbies: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano (c), 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Jarrad Butler, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (c), 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Joss Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Jordan Smiler, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Robbie Coleman, 23 Nigel Ah Wong
 

Source: Stuff.co, NZ Herald, Planet Rugby

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