The Hurricanes have revitalised their finals hopes with a quality 35-29 win over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.
The visitors were in control for the majority of the game as they wore down the hosts to put themselves inside the top six.
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So what did we learn?
It took 11 rounds, but finally, a Kiwi side has a win in Australia after the Hurricanes’ narrow victory over the ACT Brumbies.
Credit to the visitors, who were a class above in all aspects of the game as they vault into the top six.
It was one of those performances that felt like it was coming from a Hurricanes side stuck outside the top six.
With games against the Chiefs and Queensland Reds to come, they needed a big scalp to keep their finals hopes alive.
The ACT Brumbies need to focus on securing a home quarter-final because any hopes of a top two finish are faint.
The hosts showed glimpses of their best across the 80 minutes but never really found their groove against a classy Hurricanes team.
Missing 40 tackles in any game is a tough obstacle to come back from even if the Brumbies nearly did at the end.
As a result, they now sit eight points behind the Chiefs and Crusaders and needs results to go their way if they are to secure a spot towards the top.
Watching the Hurricanes flow in the first half makes you think they would’ve been in the top six much earlier if they had Callum Harkin for the entire season.
Harkin unlocked the visitor’s attack with picture-perfect playmaking alongside Ruben Love.
Whether it was his work to create Billy Proctor’s opening try of the game or his fast hands for Kini Naholo, he was everywhere.
Harkin is an excellent story of perseverance, handed his Super Rugby debut two months before his 26th birthday after starring for Wellington in the NPC.
Kini Naholo was a monster in attack and proved pivotal in the Hurricanes’ victory.
The winger trucked Brumbies for fun, the highlight being a brutal run that sent multiple defenders flying for a crucial try.
He had ten tackle busts for the night and looked dangerous whenever he had the ball.
Ngantungane Punivai was also excellent on the other wing, crossing for his own double.
All eyes were on the two number sevens as Luke Reimer and Du’Plessis Kirifi went at it all night.
Kirifi won the breakdown battle, sealing a key pilfer penalty that led to Ruben Love’s long-range penalty whilst forcing the turnover late in the first half of Ryan Lonergan.
Reimer crossed for a key try but Kirifi won the points battle on the night.
Both men find themselves on the outside looking in for their respective national sides, but expect Reimer and Kirifi to figure heavily after the Super season ends.
