The Hurricanes have gone one step closer to the Super Rugby Pacific minor premiership with a 47-24 win over the Blues at Eden Park.
Explosive winger Fehi Fineanganofo equalled the all-time record for most tries in a Super Rugby season, scoring his 16th of the season as the visitors ran away with the game in the second half.
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The flyer latched onto a kick from Brayden Iose after receiving the perfect bounce, giving him the chance to break it next week against the Highlanders at home.
The victory restores their five-point lead at the top of the table with two games left in the regular season, with a last-minute try securing the bonus point.
With no Cam Roigard, Eretara Enari was the man doing the damage as the Samoan international had a trio of try assists at the base of the ruck.
The ‘Canes got off to a flyer as they caught the Blues with a double strike, first via Japanese skipper Warner Dearns after he charged down Beauden Barrett’s kick.
Fineanganofo created the second with a powerful burst and kick back inside for Enari, who found Jordie Barrett for a 14-0 lead after 12 minutes.
The Blues steadied but found themselves trailing further when the Hurricanes repelled their attacks and drove downfield to score via prop Pasilio Tosi.
A powerful forward’s effort eventually got them on the board as Malachi Wrampling-Alec continued his strong season with a five-pointer.
But the wingers for the Hurricanes continued their fine form as Kini Naholo crossed after Enari’s inside pass unleashed the winger, with Fineanganofo crossing in style to bring him level with Joe Roff and Ben Lam with a pair of games left in the regular season.
Raymond Tuputupu sealed the win in the 62nd minute before the Blues tried to spoil the party and prevent a winning bonus point.
AJ Lam started a barrage of tries for the hosts, scoring three late, with the Hurricanes losing Jone Rova for ten for a deliberate knock on.
Even this couldn’t dent their night, pressing after the siren to restore their bonus point via the rolling maul and Peter Lakai.
