Canes’ backline drives win

WELLINGTON: The Hurricanes’ allstar backline propelled them to a 2513 win over the Chiefs last night and the outright Super Rugby lead.

The hosts ran out three triestoone winners last night in Wellington, led by more scintillating attack from Ben Lam, Ngani Laumape and Beauden Barrett.

The trio shared the tries and were behind most of the bright points, although Chiefs first fiveeighth Damian McKenzie and winger Solomon Alaimalo also continued their brilliant campaigns.

The Hurricanes had too much panache, allowing them to leapfrog the Lions and Crusaders, who had byes this week. They cannot be overtaken during the remainder of round nine.

The Hurricanes continued to mix brutal defence with ambitious attack, which was on show in all three tries.

Powerhouse winger Lam snapped up a Laumape offload and left three defenders in his wake on a 40m charge to the line.

The clamour for Lam to be considered by All Blacks selectors only grew louder as the 26yearold beat nine defenders for the match and ran for 120m.

Those figures were bettered by opposite No 11 Alaimalo, who made five breaks and tallied 190m running metres.

Up 106 at halftime, the Hurricanes snatched control with tries to Barrett and Laumape within five minutes of the restart.

Barrett’s try was a trademark effort, scooping up a loose ball and covering 50m faster than the cover defence. He followed up with a crosskick that Laumape leapt over Anton LienertBrown to collect and score.

The Chiefs threatened a comeback when Lachlan Boshier scored but the final quarter was scoreless, apart from a penalty after the siren from Hurricanes fullback Jordie Barrett. — NZN