Perenara equals Super Rugby record as Hurricanes beat Chiefs

Sat, Apr 13, 2024, 9:34 AM
AFP
by AFP
TJ Perenara Try from Round 8 of Super Rugby Pacific 2024

Scrum-half TJ Perenara moved level as the most prolific try-scorer in Super Rugby history as his competition-leading Hurricanes beat the Chiefs 36-23 on Saturday.

The Hurricanes maintained their perfect seven-from-seven start to the season, out-scoring the visitors five tries to two in Wellington, including a brace to veteran All Black Perenara.

Catch every game of Super Rugby Pacific LIVE, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport.

The 32-year-old crossed once in each half to take his Super Rugby career tally to 62 tries.

It's the same figure as his former Hurricanes team-mate Julian Savea, who scored a try on Friday for the victorious Moana Pasifika against the Queensland Reds.

A bonus point win pushes the Hurricanes five points clear of the second-placed Auckland Blues and ACT Brumbies as they continued the high-speed style that has created 38 tries.

Wet conditions didn't slow them, going 10-0 up in the first quarter after Perenara bagged his opening try.

Impressive loose forward Brayden Iose crossed to put his team 17-7 ahead but the Chiefs dominated the middle section of the game, scoring 16 unanswered points.

With his team trailing by six, Perenara's second try sparked a storming Hurricanes finish, including five-pointers to winger Kini Naholo and powerhouse hooker Asafo Aumua.

Hurricanes captain Brad Shields said his team's depth swung the contest their way over the closing stages.

"It's not often you can roll a bench on that changes a game like that," he said.

"Each week now, our impact players are taking our game to another level."

Backs Cortez Ratima and Emoni Narawa crossed for the Chiefs while fly-half Damian McKenzie landed 13 points with the boot.

Last year's beaten finalists suffered their third loss from eight games and skipper Luke Jacobson said they gave the competition leaders too many opportunities.

"The Hurricanes played some really good footy and put a lot of pressure on us," he said.

"There were a few errors in our own half that they ended up scoring from. In the end, that really hurt us."

Share
'Told that all my life': Flook to make it big in Italy
Massimo De Lutiis will remain in Australian Rugby for at least three more years. Photo: Getty Images
Massimo De Lutiis commits to Australian Rugby
Rugby Australia launches historic NextGen XVs Women's program
Toby Brial is one of several returning stars for the Australia U20s as they name their opening side of 2026 to face Fiji. Photo: Getty Images
Australia U20s lock in side to face Fiji U20 at Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby