Hurricanes dominate Moana Pasifika in convincing victory

The Hurricanes put on a powerful display to claim a convincing victory over Moana Pasifika in their Super Rugby Pacific Round 4 encounter at North Harbour Stadium.

Demonstrating superior pace, execution, and discipline, the Hurricanes outclassed their opponents, maintaining their strong start to the season while exposing Moana Pasifika’s struggles in key areas.

The Hurricanes wasted little time asserting their dominance, launching early attacks that kept Moana Pasifika pinned inside their own half. A well-orchestrated set play in the 8th minute saw their first try, as quick hands and clever support running allowed their winger to dive over in the corner.

Their momentum continued, with midfield maestro Jordie Barrett pulling the strings in attack. In the 15th minute, the Hurricanes capitalized on a Moana Pasifika handling error, swiftly transitioning into attack mode. A break through the defensive line led to a second try, stretching the lead to 14-0.

Despite struggling to retain possession, Moana Pasifika showed resilience in patches. Their best chance of the half came in the 25th minute, when sustained forward pressure earned them a penalty deep in Hurricanes territory.

Opting for a scrum, they nearly crossed the line, but a crucial turnover by the Hurricanes flanker ended the opportunity.

The Hurricanes extended their lead further just before halftime, using their dominant forward pack to force a penalty inside the 22. Opting for a quick tap, they caught the defense off guard, and their No. 8 crashed over for another converted try, sending them into the break with a 21-0 lead.

Moana Pasifika emerged from the break with renewed intent, tightening up their defense and looking to play more expansively. Their persistence paid off in the 46th minute, when a well-executed rolling maul saw their hooker barge over for their first try of the match, reducing the deficit to 21-7.

The Hurricanes, however, responded swiftly. A perfectly weighted cross-kick in the 52nd minute found their winger in space, who offloaded to his support runner for an easy finish under the posts, extending the lead to 28-7.

Moana Pasifika refused to go down without a fight. In the 63rd minute, they capitalized on a rare defensive lapse, spreading the ball wide to send their fullback over in the corner. However, a missed conversion left them trailing 28-12.

As the match entered the final quarter, the Hurricanes reasserted their dominance. A long-range counterattack in the 70th minute saw them slice through the defense with speed and precision, ending with a well-finished try under the sticks.

A final penalty goal in the 77th minute sealed the emphatic result at 38-12.