Rugby: West hero in thrilling Canes win

Ihaia West makes the break which led to Ngani Laumape's first try. Photo/Paul Taylor

Hurricanes 38 Sharks 37
Hawke's Bay rugby fans missed out on the opportunity to watch All Black first five-eighth Beauden Barrett live tonight.

But Barrett's late withdrawal with a tight quad had a positive spin off for former Magpies first five-eighth Ihaia West. He got a starting XV berth in his final outing on Napier's McLean Park before departing to France to begin a three-season playing contract with a yet-to-be-named club.

West said before the match he would dedicate his minutes to his Havelock North club life member and Magpies great Hepa Paewai who died in February after a battle with cancer. Paewai would have been proud with West's contribution to the Hurricanes thrilling 38-37 win over the Sharks in the Week 8 Super Rugby clash apart from an early missed conversion attempt and knock on in the 13th minute.

The Sharks applied the early pressure and were rewarded with a handy penalty kick from first five-eighth Robert du Preez in the third minute. The Hurricanes took the lead in the seventh minute with a try to fullback Jordie Barrett.

A clever flick pass from West put second five-eighth Ngani Laumape over for a try in the 15th minute. West added the conversion and the Canes led 12-3.

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Superb continuity from the Sharks resulted in a try to centre Lukhanyo Am in the 20th minute which du Preez converted to keep the visitors in the hunt.

Soft defence from the Canes allowed Sharks halfback Louis Schreuder to score in the 24th minute. Du Preez was again on target with the extras, his 16th consecutive success at goal in two matches in New Zealand.

A clever kick from West behind the Sharks defensive line set centre Vince Aso away on a 76 metre run to the tryline in the 30th minute. West slotted the conversion and the Canes were back in front.

Another penalty from du Preez had the Sharks ahead 20-19 after 33 minutes. The Canes were guilty of kicking too much ball away and Am had his second try in the 35th minute and with du Preez adding the extras the Sharks led 27-19 at halftime.

Two penalties from West in the 43rd and 50th minutes had the Canes back in contention. Another du Preez penalty in the 53rd minute had the Sharks ahead 30-25.

A 36-metre penalty from West helped the hosts cause. But a converted try to Sharks substitute forward Tyler Paul in the 74th minute had the visitors ahead 37-28.

Another handy penalty from West had the Canes trailing by six with three minutes remaining. Laumape scored his second try in the 84th minute which West converted to secure the win.

The curtainraiser saw the Hurricanes Development team beat their Chiefs counterparts 40-10. Hawke's Bay utility back J J Taulagi scored two tries for the hosts.

Fellow Magpies wider training squad members, fullback Danny Toala and first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie, kicked the conversions with four and one respectively.

Second five-eighth Peter Umaga-Jensen, centre Billy Proctor, winger Te Rangatira Waitokia and prop Sione Asi scored the Hurricanes other tries.
Scorers:
Hurricanes 38 (Jordie Barrett, Ngani Laumape 2, Vince Aso tries; Ihaia West 3 cons, 4 pens), Sharks 37 (Lukhanyo Am 2, Louis Schreuder, Tyler Paul tries; Robert du Preez 4 cons, 3 pens). HT: Sharks 27-19.