Hurricanes survive Suva test for perfect Super Rugby record

SUVA: The Wellington Hurricanes made it eight wins from eight at the top of the Super Rugby table on Friday with a hard-fought 38-15 victory over Fijian Drua in Suva.

Despite conceding three second-half yellow cards, the Hurricanes maintained their perfect start to the season by outscoring the hosts five tries to two in front of a boisterous 15,000 crowd.

“It was prety crazy, awesome atmosphere. It was a good test of our character. We talk about new challenges and this was definitely one of them,” said Hurricanes captain Brad Shields.

“We didn’t think we would be down to 13,” he added as the Hurricanes lost two players to the sin-bin midway through the second half. “But it shows good character. I’m really proud of our effort.”

It is the first time Drua have lost at home this season.

Both sides claimed early tries before the Hurricanes stamped their authority.

They struck early when centre Billy Proctor picked up a loose ball and crashed over, but the Drua hit back through fly-half Isikeli Rabitu ater a superb break by centre Iosefo Masi.

The New Zealand team then pulled away with three unanswered tries.

No.8 Devan Flanders flopped over from the back of a scrum, centre Jordie Barret crossed ater a break by Proctor and hooker James O’reilly scored from a maul.

Down 28-7 at half-time, Drua clawed back when flanker Kitione Salawa grabbed a try from a driving maul and as they piled on the pressure, the Hurricanes had two players sin-binned in quick succession.

Flanker Du’plessis Kirifi got a yellow for a high tackle, then lock Isaia Walker-leawere was penalised ater not staying on his feet at a ruck.

Despite the disadvantage, their defence held firm as Drua’s Kemu Valetini and Barret traded penalties.

Caleb Delany was then also sin-binned, but the visitors scored the final try when prop Xavier Numia mauled his way over.

In Brisbane, the Queensland Reds snapped a six-match losing streak against the Otago Highlanders with a dominant 31-0 victory.

In doing so, they won back-to-back games against New Zealand opposition for the first time in more than a decade, having beaten the Waikato Chiefs earlier in the season.