Hurricanes, Rebels win Friday in Super Rugby

By Associated Press 01 March 2019, 12:00AM

PALMERSTON NORTH, New Zealand (AP) — Center Ngani Laumape scored three tries and hooker Dane Coles two as the Wellington-based Hurricanes overran the ACT Brumbies 43-13 for a bonus-point victory in Super Rugby on Friday.

The Hurricanes burst the bubble of the Brumbies and Australian rugby with a brilliant six tries to two win, made possible by the work of a hard-running backline.

The Brumbies beat the Hamilton-based Chiefs 54-17 last weekend and Australia's Super Rugby teams grasped the hope that the win represented a tidal change in recent contests between Australian and New Zealand teams.

But the Hurricanes restored the normal order of things with an emphatic victory which left the Brumbies without a win in New Zealand for more than five years.

The Brumbies are dependent on a strong but cumbersome forward pack, effective in set pieces, and the skill at breakdowns of Wallaby backrower David Pocock.

The Hurricanes set out to run them off their feet and did so while neutralizing Pocock by making the game too fluid to suit his skills.

"I was just pleased with the boys' attitude," Coles said. "Right from the start we turned up and played our game."

Later Friday, Melbourne playmaker Quade Cooper helped lead the Rebels to a 24-19 win over the Highlanders to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Two of Melbourne's tries were set up by Cooper.

By Associated Press 01 March 2019, 12:00AM

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