At a glance

top of Aaron Cruden. And within five minutes, the X-factor fullback was on hand to set up the opening try of the game.

From a close-range scrum, Barrett sent a huge wide ball right, which van Wyk was able to allow bounce twice, and still have plenty of time to simply fall over the line.

McKenzie opened the Chiefs’ account via the tee, but despite a big glut of time in attacking position, the hosts couldn’t find enough continuity to find themselves a five-pointer. It’s been the story of their campaign, having scored only three tries in the three games going into this one.

Then, as if they needed any further blows to their locking stocks, they lost Naitoa Ah Kuoi following an ugly head clash with Du’Plessis Kirifi, which saw the

(Kobus van Wyk 2, Du’Plessis Kirifi tries; Jordie Barrett 2 con, 2 pen) (Penalty try, Lachlan Boshier try; Damian McKenzie 2 pen). HT: 20-3.

match halted at the 33rd minute for an extended period as Ah Kuoi was attended to.

The 20-year-old, who plays with the word ‘Mum’ plastered on his headgear, at least gave a good wave to the applauding crowd as he was driven off.

But the home fans weren’t to be clapping much else, as the Canes piled on 13 points in the final five minutes of the first half.

Barrett slotted a penalty to restore their seven-point lead, then after a well-plucked Dane

Coles intercept of a Brad Weber pass and a strong Ardie Savea surge, Kirifi dived over off a short ball from Perenara.

That was to be upstaged by the massive Barrett penalty kick after the siren, though. From well inside his own half, with the north-easterly over his shoulder, it sailed over the posts with room to spare – his second such monster effort, after a similar success against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires in February.

Behind 20-3 at the break and needing something special to get themselves back into it, the Chiefs closed the gap by three via the boot of McKenzie.

The Hurricanes lost Scrafton at the 50-minute mark, but despite a heap of opportunities, the Chiefs couldn’t convert.

Hurricanes 25

Chiefs 18

GETTY IMAGES The Hurricanes celebrate a try to Kobus van Wyk, much to the annoyance of Chiefs playmaker Aaron Cruden, right; inset, Scott Scrafton wins a lineout for the Hurricanes before the lock was sent off with 15 minutes left in the match.