Match Details

Lions (SA)

VS

Hurricanes (NZ)

30

Johannesburg Kick off times: 7:10pm (Local) Sat 24 Mar 3:10am (AEST) Sun 25 Mar

7

The Hurricanes have been outclassed 30-7 by a rampant Lions side in their Investec Super 14 clash at Ellis Park on Sunday morning.

Fresh from losses to both the Blues and Chiefs during the latter stages of their Australasian tour, the Lions looked a different side as they put the Hurricanes to the sword.

Andre Pretorius proved the difference on the paddock, the skilful skipper taking man of the match honours for his instrumental performance, while the visiting side's returning All Blacks failed to make much of an impact.

After a composed start from both sides, it was the Lions who struck first on the back of a sustained period of attacking pressure when Pretorius slotted a penalty goal in the fourth minute.

Up 6-0 courtesy of another Pretorius penalty and scarcely a minute after All Blacks lock Jason Eaton was yellow-carded for repeated infringing, Ethienne Reynecke punished the Hurricanes when he crossed the line on 26 minutes to help his side compound its lead.

Two further Pretorius penalties before the break made it 17-0 in favour of the hosts but just as things looked almost beyond repair for the Hurricanes, returning halfback Piri Weepu muscled his way over for a try to reduce the lead to 10 at halftime.

If Hurricanes fans had expected the last-gasp scoring effort to spurn their side on in the second half they would have been disappointed as it was the Lions who came out firing early in the second 40 minutes.

Five minutes into the second half and again after some more sustained pressure from the hosts, Pretorius extended his side's lead to 13 with a carefully struck drop-goal.

Then, putting the scoreline further out of reach, the Lions skipper kicked another penalty goal shortly after to give his side a 23-7 lead.

Stung by the Lions' bruising forward attack and ability to score from anywhere, the Hurricanes began to find some rhythm until Jaque Fourie barged over on 69 minutes to put the result beyond doubt and seal victory for his side.

Lions 30

Tries: Ethienne Reynecke, Jaque Fourie

Conversions: Andre Pretorius

Penalties: Andrew Pretorius 5

Drop Goal: Andre Pretorius

Hurricanes 7

Tries: Piri Weepu

Conversions: Blair Stewart