Rugby: Gear too classy as Reds fall off pace

Rodney So'oialo celebrated 100 games for the Hurricanes during an action-packed match against the Reds at the Cake Tin. Photo / Getty Images

The Hurricanes reignited their playoff hopes alongside 100 candles to celebrate Rodney So'oialo's special evening, last night in Wellington.

It took the capital entertainers almost half the match to find the sustained flame for their continuing semifinal ambitions but when they did, they burned the enterprising Reds.

Left wing Hosea Gear was a star performer, showing the All Black selectors in the stands all the power, pace, balance and try-scoring instincts which made him an automatic selection on the end of year tour in 2008.

His qualities were matched by the all-round enterprise of Cory Jane, the high-octane fullback with great instincts and poise. If Mils Muliaina is not fit for the June internationals, Jane showed a collection of qualities which would make him an outstanding alternative.

There was improvement too from Piri Weepu, shaded early by his Wallaby test opposite before he bustled back into prominence with his stewardship and goalkicking in the bonus-point win.

Jane began the tryscoring when he completed a move which seemed sure to founder near the touchline. Gear managed to make half a break and offload to his fullback trailing through the inside channel.

If that was a sharp start, the Reds returned fire with interest.

Captain Will Genia shot away from a ruck, scattering the blindside defences to hit Scott Higginbotham with a perfect pass as the loosie surged down fat man's alley. It was clear after the opening quarter that both sides were prepared to give the ball some decent air.

The Reds' next sortie was even better. From a set move, midfielder Anthony Faingaa flipped an inside pass to trailing blindside wing Rod Davies who outgassed the defence too easily. Buoyed by that mastery, the Reds opened up the throttle again.

This time the danger came from Tokoroa-born Quade Cooper whose interplay with Faingaa pierced the defensive line again before Cooper's perfectly weighted attacking kick allowed centre Will Chambers to score.

Davies could have had a double soon after, but strained a hamstring when he trailed Genia as his captain made another break that came too easily down the blindside.

The Hurricanes were being scythed open regularly and made little headway until the Jane-Gear combo produced some magic near halftime.

Jane doubled around a teammate and feigned to kick. With that deception he bought some time to offload to Gear, whose power and speed got him over. It finished a half of great enterprise and allowed the Hurricanes to keep in contact with the visitors.

Their hopes were boosted straight after the break when referee Bryce Lawrence sinbinned Reds flanker Andrew Shaw for a dangerous tackle. His teammates looked as though they had repelled the Hurricanes' inquisition surviving a TMO call and several scrums near their line.

But they coughed up a pass and Gear planted the ball at the corner before Tamati Ellison also scored after a superb flick pass from Jane gave him space to beat the last defender.

With half an hour to run the Canes were suddenly in front and with all the momentum.

Hurricanes: H Gear 3, C Jane, T Ellison, D Smith, tries; P Weepu 2 pen, 4 con

Reds: S Higginbotham, R Davies, W Chambers, tries; Q Cooper 3 con Halftime: 13-21