Match Details

Hurricanes (NZ)

VS

Stormers (SA)

17

FMG Stadium, Palmerston North Kick off times: 7:05pm (Local) Sat 3 Mar 5:05pm (AEDT) Sat 3 Mar

30

The Stormers turned the Investec Super 14 form book upside down as they romped to a dominant 30-17 victory over the Hurricanes at FMG Stadium in Palmerston North.

The visitors scored four tries, including two intercepts, in handing the Hurricanes their first home loss for the season.

The win was a major coup and a boost for a team that was consigned to the bottom of the table and written off by many pundits heading into tonight's fixture.

But the Hurricanes played the game as though they only had to turn up to collect the points and it showed as their ineptitude and poor decision-making enabled the visitors to dictate play.

They got off to a white hot start with an intercept try to centre Jean de Villiers setting them up in the sixth minute. First five-eighths Peter Grant converted and added two penalty goals to give his side a 13-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes.

The Hurricanes, obviously stung by the assault, took some time to compose themselves before they struck back with a stunning backline move that resulted in try to wing David Smith.

Quick ball off the top of a lineout deep inside Stormers territory was flung wide, a clever in pass from replacement centre Conrad Smith enabled winger Lome Fa'atau to slice through before off loading to fullback Cory Jane who in turn fed Smith who strolled around under the sticks.

First five-eighths Jimmy Gopperth nailed the conversion and added a penalty goal to reduce the deficit to three at the break.

The Stormers began the second half as they did the first as they sliced through the Hurricanes defense and were only denied a try by some selfish play from de Villiers, who chose to go for the line himself rather than pass to the unmarked man outside him, and a great tackle from Jane.

But Jane's brave effort came to nought as the Stormer's went over shortly after with a pushover try secured by No.8 Justin Melck. Despite both front rows having popped up the referee decided to allow play to continue and awarded the try.

The hits kept coming for the Hurricanes as their poor decision making was exploited by the Stormers who piled on the points with two further tries.

The first went to replacement back Corne Uys who benefited from a great cross-field chip from flanker Like Watson before winger Breyton Paulse scooted away to secure the bonus point after intercepting a thoughtless pass by replacement No.8 Brad Mika to give the Stormers a 30-10 lead with 10 to play

The Hurricanes scored late in the piece with a stunning length of the field try. David Smith sparked the move with an electric run before Jane eased past the last defender and crossed the line but there would be no consolation for an inept Hurricanes performance as they crashed out 30-17 to the Stormers.

Stormers 30

Tries: Jean de Villiers, Justin Melck, Corne Uys, Breyton Paulse

Conversions: Peter Grant 2

Penalties: Grant 2

Hurricanes 17

Tries: David Smith, Cory Jane

Conversions: Jimmy Gopperth, Blair Stewart

Penalties: Gopperth

HT: 13-10