The hosts ran in 10 tries to two in a 64-12 win to set up a trip to Canberra for a quarter-final clash with the Brumbies – an away trip they won earlier in the season. Their 64-point haul was their highest total of the season, surpassing the 57 they scored in round seven against the Waratahs.
While fourth place doesn’t reap any benefits in terms of location of games, the new finals format affording a second life to the highest-seeded loser in the quarter-finals means that should they lose next week, it doesn’t necessarily signal the end of the line for the Hurricanes.
Tonight’s results did, however, double as the end of the line for Moana Pasifika this season.
Coming into the last round of the regular season at sixth on the ladder – the final playoff seed – tied on points but having more wins than the Blues, Moana Pasifika’s requirements were shaped by the result of the Blues’ clash with the Waratahs earlier in the day.
With the Blues demolishing their transtasman rivals and picking up a bonus point, it meant anything less than a bonus-point win wouldn’t have been enough for Moana Pasifika.
It was a tough ask against the Hurricanes at home, but with several eye-catching performances this season – including a 45-29 win over the Crusaders in Christchurch – it wasn’t out of the question.
And with the way things started, it certainly seemed Moana Pasifika were up for it.
The visitors set the tone early, securing a turnover at the breakdown in the opening moments of the game before bagging the first points with a try to No 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa.
But that was, for a long time, where the joy stopped for Moana Pasifika as the Hurricanes gained momentum.
It was an attacking lineout that enabled the hosts to strike back, with hooker Jacob Devery crashing over just two minutes later.
Good patience and phase play was rewarded five minutes later for the Hurricanes, with Brett Cameron putting Bailyn Sullivan into some space. Sullivan linked up with Devan Flanders, who pulled off a beautiful chip and chase to score and put the hosts in front.
The sides battled through the next 20 minutes, before tries late in the half to Cam Roigard and Peter Umaga-Jensen afforded the Hurricanes a comfortable halftime lead.
From there, they went on with the job. Scoring another six tries in the second half, the Hurricanes took the game away from Moana Pasifika and they go into the playoffs with some strong form on their side.
Hurricanes 64 (Peter Umaga-Jensen 2, Jacob Devery, Devan Flanders, Cam Roigard, Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Billy Proctor, Ereatara Enari, Tjay Clarke tries; Ruben Love 7 cons)
Moana Pasifika 12 (Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Ardie Savea tries; Patrick Pellegrini con)
HT: 28-7
Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final match-ups
Crusaders (2) v Reds (5). Christchurch, Friday June 6, 7.05pm.
Chiefs (1) v Blues (6). Hamilton, Saturday June 7, 7.05pm.
Brumbies (3) v Hurricanes (4). Canberra, Saturday June 7, 9.35pm.
