Super Rugby: Hurricanes claim win over Melbourne Rebels
Hurricanes extended their winning run to six matches with a 25-15 victory over Melbourne Rebels on Friday.
Last Updated: 09/05/14 4:45pm
Fly-half Beauden Barrett kicked 20 points and captain Conrad Smith claimed their only try of the match as they punished an ill-disciplined Rebels display in Melbourne.
Rebels, who conceded 11 penalties during the course of the match, took the lead in the first half when Bryce Hegarty touched down the first try, only for their advantage to be eclipsed by penalties.
Indiscipline saw the Rebels slip further behind and Smith's try sealed victory for the Hurricanes, despite a late reply from Tamati Ellison.
The opening quarter was dominated by a kicking exchange, which saw Hurricanes fly-half Barrett get the better of Jason Woodward as the visitors amassed a 9-3 lead.
However, Rebels seized the initiative with the first try of the game on 28 minutes as fly-half Hegarty completed a fine move started by full-back Woodward.
Woodward charged towards the Hurricanes defence before chipping over the top and when he was taken down, Hegarty raced through to claim the try, which the full-back converted.
Hurricanes regained their lead before the break as Barrett slotted home a fourth successful penalty kick to give the visitors a 12-10 lead at the break.
Squandered opportunities
Barrett extended the visitors' advantage to five shortly after the restart before squandering two opportunities from the kicking tee.
The 22-year-old regained control to strike a sixth penalty before the Hurricanes found their first try of the match just before the hour.
A break down the left flank drew the Rebels defence in before Barrett's cross-field kicked landed in the hands of Cory Jane, who popped the ball up to Smith and the Hurricanes captain twisted away to dot down.
Barrett added the extras as Mark Hammett's men went into the final quarter with a 15-point lead.
The Rebels refused to relent as they started to examine a resilient Hurricanes defence, which showed signs of buckling as Smith as sent to sin-bin for an infringement at the breakdown.
Despite a spirited defensive display, the extra man proved too much for the Hurricanes as centre Ellison forced his way over the whitewash.
Woodward's failure to convert meant the Rebels remained 10 points adrift and their late rallying efforts could not secure a losing bonus point.
Meanwhile a sixth victory of the season, after losing their opening five matches, sees the Hurricanes elevated to fourth in the Super Rugby standings.