Super Rugby: Beauden Barrett kicks Hurricanes to victory
New Zealand fly-half Beauden Barrett kicked six penalties to help the Hurricanes defeat the Bulls 25-20 in Napier.
Last Updated: 05/04/14 11:05am
Fly-half Barrett kicked six penalties and also used his right foot to set up a first-half try for Andre Taylor that helped the hosts hold a 16-13 lead.
It was no more than the Hurricanes deserved after dominating the opening 40 minutes, only to concede a soft try just before the break.
The Bulls were much improved in the second half, even leading by a point with 10 minutes to play, but Barrett knocked over a pair of late penalties to see the hosts, playing at their alternative home ground, to victory.
The New Zealand international had already put his team 3-0 ahead by the time he inspired the opening try of the contest with a clever kick to the right wing.
Fellow All Black Cory Jane caught the ball before using a basketball-style chest pass back inside to the supporting Taylor.
Exchanging penalties
Barrett added the extras before exchanging penalties with Jacques-Louis Potgieter as the Bulls were made to hang on desperately against the free-running Hurricanes.
Yet the Bulls kept themselves in the game with try from full-back Jurgen Visser, and could have drawn level had Handre Pollard, on for the injured Potgieter, hit the target with a second-half penalty.
Barrett scored the first points after the interval to give the Hurricanes a six-point lead with 15 minutes left.
The Bulls responded by crossing for their second try, Pollard producing a brilliant piece of individual skill to step inside Jack Lam and race clear to the line for a score he also converted.
However, they paid the price for two moments of poor discipline in the closing minutes, conceding penalties that were successfully converted by the influential Barrett.