Leinster-bound Jordie Barrett at the centre of another Hurricanes win as unbeaten run continues

Melbourne, Australia. 03rd Mar, 2024. Jordie Barrett of the Hurricanes (left) in action during the Super Rugby Pacific Round 2 match between the Hurricanes and the Queensland Reds at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Sunday, March 3, 2024. (AAP Image/James Ross) NO

Star centre Jordie Barrett was keenly involved again for the Hurricanes as the side claimed a 15-38 bonus point win over Fijian Drua in Suva.

The Leinster-bound All Black scored a try and kicked a penalty and a conversion, while Billy Proctor, Devan Flanders, James O’Reilly and Xavier Numia scored tries. Flyhalf Aidan Morgan also nailed four conversions on the night.

Fijian Drua managed two tries in front of their home crowd with Isikeli Rabitu and Kitione Salawa with Kemu Valetini kicking a conversion and penalty.

Click here to see the teams and scorers

The visitors opened the scoring after veteran TJ Perenara expertly laid the ball off to Proctor, who found an easy route to the try line after just six minutes, with Barrett making no mistake with the kick. It was not long until Drua responded with Rabitu’s converted try in the 10th minute.

The seesaw swung the way of the Super Rugby Pacific leaders again with Flanders scoring for the ‘Canes after 15 minutes as Morgan made no mistake again. The Hurricanes settled into their rhythm as Barrett finished off a great team try after the half-hour mark before O’Reilly crossed before half-time. Morgan was on song again with both conversions.

Drua needed to come out of the blocks in the second half and did through a Salawa try. Momentum was firmly with the hosts as the Hurricanes got two yellow cards around the hour mark, reducing them to 13 men.

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Unfortunately for the Fijian Drua, they failed to truly capitalise on their numerical advantage only kicking a penalty in the 71st minute that Barrett cancelled out two minutes later. Their intent to attack cost them late on, handing the Hurricanes several penalties, which they used to score with the clock in red, securing the bonus point.

Clark Laidlaw’s charges have now won their first eight matches of the season.

Fijian Drua v Hurricanes

HFC Bank Stadium, Suva

Drua: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Iosefo Masi, 12 Kemu Valetini, 11 Epeli Momo, 10 Isikeli Rabitu, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Vilive Miramira, 5 Leone Rotuisolia, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (c), 1 Haereiti Hetet

Replacements: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Livai Natave, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Meli Derenalagi, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Michael Naitokani, 23 Junior Ratuva

Hurricanes: 15 Josh Moorby, 14 Kini Naholo, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Salesi Rayasi, 10 Aidan Morgan, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Devan Flanders, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Brad Shield (c), 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Ben Grant, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 James O’Reilly, 1 Tevita Mafileo

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Caleb Delany, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Richard Judd, 22 Ruben Love, 23 Bailyn Sullivan