Beauden Barrett on song as Hurricanes see off Kings in Wellington
Last Updated: 25/03/16 2:25pm
Beauden Barrett scored 22 points as the Hurricanes beat the Kings 42-20 in Wellington on Friday.
The fly-half kicked three penalties and four conversions, along with a last minute try, as the New Zealand hosts collected their third victory of the Super Rugby season.
The out-classed Kings are not only bottom of the South African table, following four defeats from as many outings, they also have the worst record of any of the 18 teams competing in 2016.
However, the visitors enjoyed a relatively strong first half, reaching the break with just a two-point deficit.
And with 66 minutes played the gap was still only five points before the Hurricanes took charge to grab a brace of tries and secure a bonus point.
During a five-try first half, Ngani Laumape touched down in the corner as the Hurricanes took a fifth minute lead.
With 13 minutes on the clock, Blade Thomson stretched out an arm to sneak the ball over the line after being tackled just short.
A third Hurricanes' try arrived on 27 when Ardie Savea went over near the posts before the Southern Kings responded by scoring two of their own.
Steven Sykes went over on 31 before Shane Gates fed Louis Fouche who raced uncontested beneath the bar.
However, the Hurricanes took control during the closing 10 minutes with Vince Aso grounding the ball in the corner for their fourth try on 73, after good work by Vaea Fifita following a break by prop Loni Uhila.
Barrett completed the scoring during the closing moments to make the margin slightly flattering in the Hurricanes' favour and their captain Dane Coles admitted: "I think we've got to learn to control the game a bit more.
"Everyone wanted to throw the magic ball and score tries but that's a lesson to us. We're a young team."
And Kings skipper Steven Sykes added: "There were a lot of soft moments, especially at the end. We were in the game until the 75th minute."
