Hurricanes blown away by red-hot Chiefs

– Defending champions Hurricanes were given a rude awakening from their dream start when they were beaten 26-18 by the Chiefs yesterday.

After scoring 24 tries and amassing 154 points in their opening two matches against the Sunwolves and Melbourne Rebels, the Hurricanes struggled.

With torrential rain making conditions difficult at the Waikato Stadium, the Hurricanes were outplayed and displayed poor discipline, earning two yellow cards.

The Chiefs, who had to work hard for their wins over the Highlanders and Blues, proved more battle-hardened in defence.

Damian McKenzie (pictured) was also decisive with the boot as he kicked four penalties and two conversions for the Chiefs.

Early opportunities were rare in the driving rain, with the Hurricanes up by a single penalty at the 15-minute mark.

The Chiefs then laid siege to the Hurricanes’ line, with the Wellington side conceding three penalties before referee Brendon Pickerill lost patience and sent Ardie Savea to the sin bin.

The one-man advantage allowed the Chiefs to break through for the opening try as Brodie Retallick barged over the line.

Savea was just about to come back when lock Michael Fatialofa became the second Hurricane shown a yellow card after a shoulder charge on Nepo Laulala.

The Hurricanes hung on until he returned but the Chiefs then struck through winger Toni Pulu just before half-time.

Pulu outpaced three defenders as he chased down Tawera Kerr-Barlow’s perfectly weighted chip kick to send the Chiefs into the break 17-6 up.

The Hurricanes finally sparked into life in the 65th minute, when TJ Perenara burst from the back of a driving maul and somehow managed to get his outstretched arm through the defence for a try.

They continued to press but a Damian McKenzie penalty with five minutes on the clock sealed the result for the Hurricanes, despite a consolation try from Julian Savea.

McKenzie kicked a penalty after the siren to stretch the winning margin to eight. – AFP