Hurricanes

Hurricanes, Highlanders continue NZ winning streak

After the Hurricanes' 35-13 romp over the Melbourne Rebels in Wellington, the Highlanders fended off the Western Force 25-15 in Perth on Friday to extend Australia's winless streak to 7-0.

Having humbled Australian champions Queensland 40-19 in week one, the Highlanders stormed out of the blocks with three first-half tries to Jona Nareki, Ayden Johnstone and Scott Gregory before locking down the match after the break.

Mop-haired inside centre Gregory grabbed a second try on the hour-mark, leaving Force with too big a mountain to climb.

First blood for New Zealand in trans-Tasman Super Rugby

The Highlanders trounced Australian champions the Queensland Reds 40-19 before the Hurricanes beat the NSW Waratahs 64-48 in a Sydney try-fest.

Predictions that the six-week contest would be one-sided in favour of the New Zealand sides looked on the money when Highlanders centre Scott Gregory cantered over the line for the first try of the competition after just 35 seconds in Dunedin.

Hurricanes dominate Highlanders in Super Rugby Aotearoa

In a free-flowing game the Highlanders were on the scoreboard first with a penalty in the fifth minute, before Devan Flanders scored the first of the Hurricanes six tries.

Both teams were down to 14 men in the 15th minute when Hurricanes captain Dane Coles and Highlanders first five-eighth Mitch Hunt were yellow carded for foul play.

The Highlanders adjusted quickest, with Japanese loose forward Kazuko Himeno breaking away to set up Josh Dickson to score the visitors first try.

Hurricanes drop one All Blacks and bring in another for final Super Rugby Aotearoa clash

Former All Blacks wing Julian Savea returns to the right wing in place of Wes Goosen after missing out on last week’s last-gasp 26-24 defeat at the hands of Damian McKenzie and the Chiefs in Hamilton.

The only other alteration comes in the midfield, where one-test All Blacks centre Peter Umaga-Jensen has swapped onto the bench to hand impressive youngster Billy Proctor a starting berth in the No. 13 jersey.

All Black Dane Coles re-signs with NZ Rugby and Hurricanes

The 34-year-old has played 74 Tests since his debut in 2012 and more than 120 games for the Hurricanes.

He said he was never going to play for another Super Rugby team and is looking forward to trying to trying to extend his All Blacks career.

"I'm so grateful to be playing the game I love, and grateful for the opportunity to continue with the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby. The Hurricanes have been loyal to me, I'm a 'one club' man, so to continue my career with them will be awesome.

Jordie Barrett's big night out in Dunedin

Barrett converted all three of his own tries and kicked three penalties as the All Blacks utility back led his team to their first win of the season.

The 24-year-old, playing at fullback, put his side's first points on the board after six minutes with a penalty before scoring the opening try three minutes later.

Barrett finished off a straightforward move that saw the Hurricanes win their own line-out and move the ball through the backs before crossing the Highlanders' line.

Hurricanes finally get Coles back

Jackson Garden-Bachop suffered an achilles injury playing against the Crusaders in round two and now needs surgery.

It leaves the Hurricanes without their top two first-fives after Simon Hickey suffered a season-ending knee injury during pre-season.

Orbyn Leger will start in the number ten jersey again after debuting for the Hurricanes in last weekend's loss to the Chiefs.

Young prospect Ruben Love, a possible first five backup, is set for his first game time after being named on the bench.

Fullback Jordie Barrett could also fill in at number ten.

Chiefs snap losing streak with stunning comeback win

The visitors trailed 26-7 at half-time but ran in four converted tries after the break to avoid the ignominy of posting the longest losing streak by a New Zealand Super Rugby team.

Damian McKenzie started at fullback but orchestrated the victory from the playmaker role and converted all five tries as the visitors beat the Hurricanes for the first time since 2018.

Centre Chase Tiatia sparked the comeback after coming off the bench to score a try in the 57th minute and then play a part in a brilliant move that led to another for halfback Brad Weber a minute later.

Jordie Barrett won't play at first five

Jackson Garden-Bachop aggravated an achilles injury against the Crusaders in round two and is in doubt for Saturday's game against the Chiefs.

Backup first-five Simon Hickey is already out for the season due to a knee injury.

Despite their lack of depth in the position, Hurricane's defensive coach Corey Jane says they won't move be giving Barrett the number ten jersey.

"It wouldn't be fair on him if we actually put him into first-five, last year he was the best fullback running around and he's done some good stuff for us already this year," he said.

Crusaders cruise after Savea sin bin costs Hurricanes

The match had been moved from Saturday in the hope coronavirus restrictions would be lifted to allow a crowd for the reigning champions' first home match of the season.

Fans saw a game that pivoted on Ardie Savea's first half yellow card, with the Crusaders scoring three converted tries to take a commanding lead while the forward was off the field.

Scott Robertson's team notched up the win after opening their campaign with victory over the Highlanders in last week's first round.