Rugby: Hurricanes win game of two halves

Hurricanes players Conrad Smith, left, and Ma'a Nonu celebrate after beating the Stormers. Photo / Getty Images

Sports cliches were built on games like this.

Up 25-3 at halftime last night, the Hurricanes looked like they could bring up a half century against the Stormers at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

They'd ended the first spell by scoring a thrilling try through pivot Beauden Barrett, which involved numerous sets of hands and nearly 100m of real estate.

The Stormers seemed out on their feet and they couldn't believe what they'd just seen. The Hurricanes also butchered another couple of opportunities through dodgy handling earlier in the half.

But Chris Boyd's side didn't trouble the scorers during the second stanza and they were forced to hold on for a 25-20 win.

"I think, clearly, it was a classic game of two halves," Boyd said "And, obviously at halftime, we were pretty happy with our performance."

If anything, the game will serve as a reminder that no contest is ever locked up after only 40 minutes in Super Rugby.

The victory, which came in Ma'a Nonu's 150th game in the competition, also ensured the 7-0 Hurricanes remained at the top of the standings heading in to a bye.

The only injury concern to come out of the contest for the home side was a calf issue for loose forward Victor Vito but there was no immediate news available around the severity of the ailment.

Vito's absence hurt the Hurricanes in the second spell given what he offers them in the lineout.

Boyd was also left to lament his side's inability to maintain possession, which is something that has been notable in recent weeks.

"Obviously we've got to do better at our set-piece and be better at holding on to the ball," Boyd said.

The Stormers potentially showed what it might take to beat the Hurricanes - smash them in the close quarters and take your chances out wide.

The problem for the visitors was they were unable to provide enough incisive attack through their backs.

Loose forwards Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen were immense, while lock Manuel Carizza, who has 43 test caps for Argentina, gave the Stormers an extra edge.

"There's not many teams around that have the physicality and the direct running of their pack," Boyd said. "They were pretty brutal in the second half and did it really well."

Hurricanes skipper Conrad Smith, who will leave New Zealand rugby after this year's World Cup, said his side's realistic expectations had helped them perform this year.

"I've been impressed with the way it's gone this season, but every Monday, man, the guys turn up and they just go to work," Smith said.

"There's no feeling like we are unbeatable and even that we are the best in the league. We know we've got to turn up with a good attitude or else we are going to come second."

The Hurricanes, who will have five days off to spend time with their families over Easter before resuming training, will return to action against the Waratahs at Westpac Stadium on Saturday, April 18.

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) halftime: 25-3