Murray Wenzel
The Hurricanes have run rampant in Wellington to extend their dominance over the Queensland Reds and justify their top Super Rugby Pacific billing.
Reds turnovers in attack and the midfield were punished by the freewheeling hosts in Saturday’s 52-14 win.
It was the Hurricanes’ 11th successive win over the Reds and 12th consecutive as hosts, dating back to 1998.
The bonus point result snapped a four-game Reds (4-2) winning streak and pushed the Hurricanes (5-1) further ahead at the top of the ladder.
Winger Fehi Fineanganofo had a hat-trick inside the hour as the Hurricanes ran in eight tries, often from Reds turnovers when they were pushing for points.
A disallowed runaway Jordie Barrett try and Isaac Henry’s juggling effort from a lineout set piece soon after, created a 14-point swing that kept the Reds in it, trailing 24-14 at halftime.
But the Hurricanes, who had already put on three 50-plus scores this season, were unrelenting.
Warner Dearns plucked a pass and surged over to complete a frenzied play down the sideline from a loose ball from the lineout.
Then Fineanganofo iced the contest with his second and third tries in quick time, both from mid-field Reds turnovers, with 20 minutes still to play.
Vernon Bason’s rolling maul try with five minutes to play brought up the half century.
Hurricanes cult hero and captain Du’Plessis Kirifi was instrumental in his first start of the season after recovering from a calf injury and was ecstatic when he pilfered to stop a near-certain Reds try when the game was already won late in the second half.
Wallabies flyhalf Tom Lynagh was unable to make an impact in his first action of the season, replacing Harry McLaughlin-Phillips after 62 minutes.
AAP
