Hurricanes 33 Lions 18
Fast, furious and open, the Northern Hemisphere critics will have seen enough in Wellington last night to brand Super 14 pyjama rugby all over again.
To an extent, the critics have a point. It was end-to-end in Wellington, with both defensive lines suffering numerous breaks. But it wouldn't be fair
to pin that on the new law interpretations or a lack of defensive appetite.
The simple truth about rugby is that if you have two teams like the Lions and Hurricanes who want to keep the ball in hand and create space from anywhere on the field, then lungs start heaving and limbs start aching.
When fatigue sets in, all sorts of crazy things can happen. Like Andrew Hore, the rugged hooker, can run 40m for a classy solo try which included an outrageous dummy.
This was high tempo and, because both sides took risks with the ball, there were plenty of points and even more opportunities. The breakdown was still willing, though, as were the scrums and lineouts.
The core skills of the game were all in place and rugby feels like it's heading in the right direction again.
The Hurricanes, too, took another step in the right direction in terms of the result but will still feel they are not quite there yet. Just as they did against the Force, they gave powerful flashes of what they are capable.
When they move the ball wide after the forwards have provided some momentum, they are deadly. Corey Jane was at his best, popping up here, there and everywhere. In full flight, he is deceptive and the Lions struggled to contain him.
They also struggled to do much about the Hurricanes forwards in the scrum and Michael Paterson made a massive contribution in the loose and lineout.
He scored the opening try when he stepped back against the grain to crash through three tackles. It was fitting he should score as the initial break came on the back of his athletic steal of a Lions throw.
A Piri Weepu clean break from a scrum on the stroke of halftime where he touched down between the posts gave the Hurricanes a 21-7 lead at the break they didn't quite deserve.
The Lions had more than done their bit in the first half and while they may well lose often this season, they won't die wondering. They made it hard not to like them with their desire to move the ball and keep the bigger Hurricanes pack moving.
They lacked for nothing in ambition and their game plan and Carlos Spencer are the perfect match. King Carlos doesn't quite have the pace of old.
His brain moves quicker than his feet these days but he's still a tricky customer. He still plays with a smile and an energy that keeps opponents honest.
Nor has he lost any of his self-belief. He tried to skip past David Smith on his first counter-attack last night but was sunk when his step didn't take him anywhere.
There was no sense of him being deterred by such an inauspicious start. On his next possession, he took the line on and realised he could still handle this lark.
His kicking for touch was excellent and he kept what is a talented midfield fully involved. He took his leave with 15 minutes remaining and can feel he did enough to make one or two people think again about whether he is washed up and too old to be playing at this level.
All the Lions lacked was polish and composure. In the first half, they broke the line several times with Todd Clever and Doppies La Grange prominent.
The opportunities often didn't amount to anything, though, because the last pass was wayward and there was an infuriating casualness about their execution in the red zone.
Derick Minnie was able to drive over from a lineout maul in the first half and Clever was on the end of a flowing movement early in the second half to cut the deficit.
But after Hore scampered over for his try on 52 minutes, the Hurricanes settled into more convincing form.
It also, perversely, helped them that Ma'a Nonu as yellow-carded midway through the half as it forced them to take stock, up their defensive effort and focus that bit harder.
Once Nonu returned, the top priority became securing the bonus point. That came with 10 minutes remaining when Smith was worked free on the left wing after some neat exchanges in the forwards.
The Hurricanes have to be content with 14 points from their first three games but will readily accept they have much tougher games to come.
They head to Africa this morning but there is doubt whether Jason Eaton will be travelling. The big lock was enjoying a big game before he limped off after 25 minutes when he damaged his knee.
Hurricanes: 33 (M. Paterson, P. Weepu, A. Hore, D. Smith tries; W. Ripia 2 cons, 3 pens)
Lions: 18 (D. Minnie, T. Clever tries; E. Rose con, 2 pens).
