There was to be no repeat of last year’s historic win for Moana Pasifika at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday night as the Hurricanes avenged that loss with a 59-0 victory.
It was the Hurricanes’ fourth victory of the year, to move them up to second on the points table, while Moana Pasifika are still searching for their first victory of 2023.
Brett Cameron scored one of the Hurricanes’ three tries in the first half against Moana Pasifika.
Moana Pasifika lost No 8 Lotu Inisi with a leg injury in the opening seconds of the game and he had to be replaced by Miracle Faiilagi.
They gave away a penalty from a scrum inside their half and soon after the Hurricanes attacked wide where winger Kini Naholo took the ball and flicked it back inside to the waiting fullback Josh Moorby, who scored a try.
The second half was similar to the first where Moana Pasifika had opportunities but couldn’t take them, while the Hurricanes were clinical when in the red zone.
Naholo scored for the Hurricanes in the 55th minute and two minutes later the other winger Salesi Rayasi went in as the scoreline started to blow out.
When Rayasi exploited some woeful defending for his second try in the 66th minute and Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea scored under the posts moments later, it was clear this game couldn’t end quick enough for Moana Pasifika fans.
Unfortunately for them, there were more tries from Hame Faiva and Pate Lakai to come before they could head home.
In other results, the Crusaders smashed the Brumbies 35-17, Waratahs went down 14-24 to the Chiefs, Highlanders beat the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua 24-57.
Still to come today, the Blues will play Western Force at 2.35pm.
Source: Stuff.co
