HIGHLIGHTS-Super Rugby week 12
The Hurricanes scored four tries in the first 21 minutes to take a 26-0 lead before holding off a Rebels fightback in the second half to win their fourth match in a row. Centre Ngani Laumape, flyhalf Beauden Barrett, winger Wes Goosen and flanker Vaea Fifita all crossed in the early onslaught at the Wellington Stadium.
Lock Matt Philip finally got the Australian Conference leaders on the scoreboard when he crossed in the 53rd minute and tries from centres Billy Meakes and Reece Hodge gave the Rebels hopes of an unlikely comeback. A long-range penalty from fullback Jordie Barrett in the 75th minute was the only score the home side managed in the second half but it was enough to keep the Hurricanes firmly in second place behind the Crusaders in the New Zealand conference.
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REDS 32 SUNWOLVES 26 Brandon Paenga-Amosa scored a 72nd-minute try which ultimately proved decisive for the Reds in an ill-disciplined match in Brisbane in which the Sunwolves were reduced to 12 men for the final five minutes of the game.
Sunwolves winger Semisi Masirewa was sent off by referee Angus Gardner in the 50th minute after he picked up his second yellow card, while Yu Tamura and Rahboni Warren-Vosayco were given yellow cards in the final 10 minutes of the match. Prop Masataka Mikami was also given a yellow card in the first half for the visitors, who stayed in the match with two Gerhard van den Heever tries and 16 points from the boot of flyhalf Hayden Parker.
Reds' lock Harry Hockings also received a red card in the final five minutes for kicking Warren-Voysaco in the head, although tries to Sefa Naivalu, Taniela Tupou and Bryce Hegarty, who added 12 points from the boot, gave the Reds the win. CRUSADERS 21 SHARKS 21
Mitchell Hunt scored a try and added the conversion after the final hooter to snatch a draw for the Canterbury Crusaders in their clash with South Africa's Sharks in Christchurch. The Crusaders had trailed for much of the match as Curwin Bosch slotted seven penalties for the visitors, but managed to pinch the draw as they hammered away at the tryline for the final few minutes. Codie Taylor and Jack Goodhue added tries for the home side, who moved to 42 points and extended their lead at the top of the New Zealand conference over the Wellington Hurricanes (32), who host the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday. (Reporting by Greg Stutchbury and Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Toby Davis/Sudipto Ganguly)
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