Rugby: Hurricanes remain unbeaten

Ma'a Nonu became the first back to play 150 Super Rugby games. Photo / Getty

Hurricanes 25
Stormers 20

The streak continues.

The Hurricanes are yet to taste defeat in 2015 and last night's 25-20 win over the Stormers in Wellington took them to their seventh win on the bounce.

There are greater challenges to come - they still need to meet the Chiefs and Crusaders twice - but on the evidence with which they've dispatched all comers this year, you'd have to say the Hurricanes would be a good chance against anyone.

Last night's win wasn't perfect. Their performance from the first half to the second was a mile apart but when they click, they're as exciting as any team in the competition. The Hurricanes last won seven in a row in 2003.

The Stormers had beaten the Hurricanes in their past four meetings but the Hurricanes wouldn't be denied in Ma'a Nonu's 150th game of Super Rugby.

The Hurricanes second-five, who has also played for the Blues and Highlanders, became only the fourth player, and the first back, to reach the milestone after Keven Mealamu, Nathan Sharpe and Corey Flynn.

The Stormers, who were comfortably beaten 39-21 by the Highlanders last week, welcomed back No 8 Duane Vermeulen.

The Springbok adds starch to any forward pack, and alongside flanker Schalk Burger, they helped form a combative loose trio with No 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi.

There was some niggle during the opening spell as both sides looked to get better acquainted with one another but it was the Hurricanes who took the better of the scoring exchanges.

Three tries, one of which was a contender for 'try of the year', helped the Hurricanes lay a platform from where they could build towards their win.

It was like the Hurricanes of old as pivot Beauden Barrett finished a sweeping breakout move, sparked by Nonu, as they took a 25-3 lead to the break. Nehe Milner-Skudder and Julian Savea crossed earlier in the half.

There was some concern over loose forward Victor Vito (calf) who left the paddock and was replaced by Adam Hill. More will be known when the medical staff have performed their tests.

The Stormers didn't let the Hurricanes into the game during the second spell as their big forward pack starved the home side of the ball. After 73 minutes, the Hurricanes had enjoyed only 29 per cent of possession.

Defence has been a key component of the Hurricanes' DNA in 2015 and it was called upon again to help them weather the Stormers during the second spell.

Handling errors plagued the Hurricanes throughout the contest, which was odd given the conditions couldn't have been much better on a cool autumn evening.

It was closer than it should have been during the final stages but this one would have served as a wake-up call to the Hurricanes that the chasing pack is coming for them. They've also got things to work on.

The Hurricanes, the only unbeaten team in the competition, have the bye next week before they host the Waratahs at the Cake Tin on Saturday, April 18 when they will shoot for eight straight.

Hurricanes 25 (Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett tries; Barrett 2 pen, 2 con)
Stormers 20 (Penalty try, Huw Jones; Demetri Catrakilis pen, 2 con, Kurt Coleman pen)
HT: 25-3