At halftime, the Hurricanes were ahead 19-7, exploiting gaps in the Highlanders’ defense and capitalizing on their faltering lineouts. Winger Fehi Fineanganofo claimed a hat-trick, and halfback Cam Roigard scored twice in a game where the Hurricanes scored eight tries to the Highlanders’ one.
This defeat marked the Highlanders’ most significant loss since their 70-26 defeat by the Brumbies three decades ago. The Hurricanes have proven to be a formidable challenge for even the strongest teams.
Although the Highlanders need not panic, this match was a clear indicator of their current standing, revealing they are not keeping pace. They have managed just one try in the last 133 minutes of play.
The Hurricanes were first to threaten, with Warner Dearns nearly scoring in the fourth minute. However, it was the Highlanders who scored first. Reesjan Pasitoa launched a huge goal-line drop-out, which Brayden Iose failed to catch. Following a burst from Caleb Tangitau and a quick recycle, fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens dodged one defender and outran two others to score his second try of the season. The stadium’s cheers quickly turned to groans as the Highlanders lost their first lineout, and their lead vanished.
Roigard boosted the Hurricanes by scoring their opening try with a quick dart from a ruck and added a second from a swift tap after a scrum penalty. Both teams committed some basic errors in the first half. The Highlanders thought they had scored when Jonah Lowe broke through, but a Folau Fakatava knock-on was spotted just before the try.
Hurricanes’ first five, Ruben Love, sent a cross-kick that Fineanganofo caught, pushing past Tangitau to score. The first half ended with two poor Highlanders lineout throws going straight to Hurricanes players.
During the break, spirits lifted with the return of the Selwyn Ballet at a Highlanders game. However, they dropped again as Dearns stole another lineout at the start of the second half. The Hurricanes extended their lead to 26-7 with a try from Devan Flanders, following a series of passes from inside their half. The game seemed over when Xavier Numia received a yellow card for a scrum offense.
Despite winning a few lineouts, the Highlanders faced further trouble when Veveni Lasaqa was sent to the sin bin for a shoulder charge on Dearns. Fineanganofo scored his second try, and Bailyn Sullivan, off the bench, added another, making it 38-7.
Referee Angus Gardner was briefly sidelined after colliding with Highlanders’ Hugh Renton. Fineanganofo completed his hat-trick, and Peter Lakai added a final try, with Love’s conversion bringing the score to 50 points. Many fans had already left the stadium.
The Highlanders face a must-win game next Friday against Moana Pasifika at North Harbour Stadium.
In the curtain-raiser, the Hurricanes Hunters defeated the Highlanders Bravehearts 38-27.
Super Rugby
The scores
Hurricanes 50
Fehi Fineanganofo 3, Cam Roigard 2, Devan Flanders, Bailyn Sullivan, Peter Lakai tries; Ruben Love 5 con
Highlanders 7
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens try; Reesjan Pasitoa con
Halftime: Hurricanes 19-7.
