Remarkably, the Hurricanes led by just nine with 10 minutes left when Waratahs flanker Lachlan Swinton scored from a lineout, before quick tries from super subs Pepesana Patafilo and Asafo Aumua clinched it. To complete the madness, Tahs fullback Jack Maddocks ran nearly the length of the field on the siren, not enough to avert the hosts’ ninth straight loss in 2021. Unsurprisingly, it was a record score between the sides, the 112-pointer easily topping the 80 they combined for in 2004 when the Waratahs won 49-31 next door at the Sydney Football Stadium, currently under reconstruction. The Hurricanes will breathe a sigh of relief after some narrow defeats at home but kick themselves for some sluggish defence which ushered in soft tries and kept the contest alive against a team already down on confidence. They return home to host the Rebels next Friday.
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The
Waratahs in a 17-try thriller on the opening day of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman on Friday.
In an incredible clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the Waratahs lost their ninth straight game in going down
64-48 to the Hurricanes, scoring seven tries but conceding 10.
It was the highest aggregate score ever between the two teams and the most points the Wellington-based side have scored against them. Didn t expect that scoreline, said Hurricanes skipper Dane Coles. We got some good tries but our defence needs some work.
All Black Julian Savea scored the opener after just three minutes in a well-executed move from a lineout.
How will the winless Waratahs fare against the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition opener?
Nothing to see here, insisted the Hurricanes as they flew to Sydney without their blockbusting France-bound midfielder Ngani Laumape for Friday’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman opener.
A day after Laumape’s $1 million-plus deal with Stade Francais was announced, the 15-test All Black’s name was missing from the 23 to face the Waratahs at the Sydney Cricket Ground (9.45pm NZT). With no injury or illness to speak of, and having shown some of his best form in recent weeks, there was natural curiosity as to whether Laumape’s departure to France after SRTT was a factor.