Brumbies blasted by Canes
The Hurricanes gave their play-off hopes a boost with an eight-try demolition of the Brumbies in Wellington.
Last Updated: 25/04/09 5:56pm
The Hurricanes gave their Super 14 play-off hopes a huge boost with a 56-7 demolition of the Brumbies in Wellington on Saturday.
The New Zealanders ran in eight sensational tries past their Trans-Tasman rivals in an explosive Super 14 encounter at the Westpac Stadium.
The Brumbies made a promising start to the match but could only watch stunned, as their hosts quickly took complete control of the game and proceeded to put them to the sword.
Full-back Cory Jane, centre Conrad Smith and wingers Tamati Ellison and David Smith all scored within the first 30 minutes to secure a bonus point before the break.
Magical
Then fly-half Willie Ripia slotted his second penalty 15 minutes after the restart to kick-start the Hurricanes second half points-fest.
Replacement winger Zac Guildford scored two tries, the second coming from an audacious training-park move.
Ripia drew the Brumbies defence across field and produced a magical behind-the-back flip-pass to Smith, who blasted through to feed the unmarked Guildford.
Loose forwards Faifili Levave and Victor Vito also crossed for the home side during the final 25 minutes. Ripia slotted five conversions and two penalties.
This was without doubt the Hurricanes' strongest performance of the tournament so far as they racked up their first half-century past an Australian opponent for the first time in Super Rugby history.
The win also means that Colin Cooper's side go top of the Super 14 table - albeit only temporarily - until the rest of this weekend's action is played out.
