The Hurricanes remain unbeaten and on top of Super Rugby Pacific standings after beating the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua 38-15 in front of a sell-out Suva crowd at the HFC Bank Stadium tonight.
The visitors got on the scoreboard in the 7th minute through centre Billy Proctor who pounded on a loose ball and dotted down as Drua winger Epeli Momo failed to control the bounce.
Jordie Barrett converted for a 7-0 lead before the Drua hit back in the 9th minute and scored through fly-half Sikeli Rabitu after 10 phases and a half break from Iosefo Masi.
Kemu Valetini converted to tie up the scores, much to the delight of the jam packed Drua fans.
The Hurricanes went up in the 15th minute after loose forward Devan Flanders barged over and Aiden Morgan converted.
Valetini missed a penalty in the 31st minute before the Hurricanes scored two back to back tries through Barrett and hooker James O’Reilly and Morgan successfully converted for a 28-7 halftime lead.
Drua opened the scoring in the second spell and flanker Kitione Salawa dived over for a try after lock Isoa Nasilasila brought down a lineout and the forwards ran all over the Canes in a maul, creating a chance for the try in the 46th minute with Valetini missing the conversion.
Hurricanes lost Isaiah Walker-Leawere to a yellow card in the 65th minute and Valetini slotted a penalty from 40m out four minutes later to narrow the gap to 28-15.
Barrett successfully kicked a penalty in the 72nd minute to extend the lead by 31-15 and a late try by hardworking prop Xavier Numia coupled with a successful conversion from Morgan wrapped up the big win for the Hurricanes although they lost Caleb Delany towards the end of the match to a yellow card.
The Drua will face Moana Pasifika in Round 10 at Churchill Park in Lautoka next Saturday.
