HIGHLIGHTS-Super Rugby week 11
Jordie Barrett reminded All Blacks coach Steve Hansen of his World Cup aspirations as he scored two early tries to help the Hurricanes beat the Chiefs on Saturday. Barrett, who has played fullback and on the wing for the All Blacks, reminded Hansen of his own credentials in the number 15 jersey in his first appearance there for the Hurricanes since week two. He finished the game in the midfield, where he has played two games this season.
Kane Leaupepe, TJ Perenara, Wes Goosen, Ardie Savea and debutant Salesi Rayasi also crossed for the home side, who moved to 32 points and consolidated their hold on second place in the New Zealand conference behind the Canterbury Crusaders (39). Luke Jacobson, Ataata Moeakiola and Lachlan Boshier all scored tries for the Chiefs, who had given the Hurricanes a 21-0 lead after 17 minutes before they managed to fight back and keep it tight until early in the second half.
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SUNWOLVES 0 HIGHLANDERS 52 Tevita Li scored two tries as he capitalised on the dominance of a Highlanders' pack led by a rampaging Jackson Hemopo to help the visitors to a commanding victory over the Sunwolves in Tokyo on Friday.
The visiting team's forwards obliterated the Sunwolves' scrum at will, even after they had replaced their entire front row, and dominated the contact area to force errors, moving back into playoffs contention in fifth place overall on 23 points. The Highlanders scored five tries in the first half from Tom Franklin, Tyrel Lomax, Li, Josh Ioane and Liam Coltman to give them a 33-0 lead at the break.
Li grabbed his second try about 10 minutes into the second half before Rob Thompson and Sio Tomkinson also crossed, while the home side were unlucky to have a Semisi Masirewa try ruled out for a forward pass. CRUSADERS 36 LIONS 10
Sevu Reece crossed for two tries and set up another for Braydon Ennor as the Crusaders sent a chilling message to the rest of the Super Rugby teams with a convincing victory over South Africa's Lions in Christchurch on Friday. Reece was a late call-up by the Crusaders this season after he had a contract in Ireland cancelled due to a court appearance for assaulting his girlfriend. He has taken his second chance at a professional career with both hands.
George Bridge also scored two tries within the space of two second half-minutes while Richie Mo'unga celebrated his 50th appearance and a new three-year contract with 11 points for the nine-times champions. Ruan Combrinck scored an intercept try for the visitors, who had lost to the Crusaders in both of the last two finals and while they caused some issues at the scrum, they were rarely able to put sustained pressure on the home side.
(Compiled by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Sudipto Ganguly/Toby Davis/Amlan Chakraborty)
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