Junior Hurricanes blitz Blues in Taupo fixture

Club Rugby | 25 February 2015 | Club Rugby

A Hurricanes Under-20 selection has recovered from a sluggish start to thrash the Blues 38-13 at Owen Delany Park in Taupo this afternoon.

Initially the Hurricanes struggled. They were overwhelmed by a bigger Blues pack at scrum time and surrendered early lineouts. The Blues were rewarded with the first try from a lineout drive.

Once the Hurricanes acquired some ball and discovered their structures they proved too classy for the Blues. The Hurricanes led 21-13 at halftime and scored several tries in a resounding victory.?

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First half tries were scored by prop Vince Sakaria, midfielder Vince Aso and halfback Jamie Booth.

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First five-eighth Otere Black kicked an early second half penalty, before prop Morgan Poi crashed over for a seven pointer. Lock Sanailia Waqa scored another converted try. ?

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Several Hurricanes players had good games.?

Standouts were halfback Booth whose fast pass and sprightly running caused problems until he left the field with an ankle injury. He was replaced by Manawatu’s Sam Malcolm who performed solidly.?

Wellington hooker Leni Apisai captained the team and was strong around the park

Hawke’s Bay’s Nick Biss was incisive from fullback. Manawatu’s Otere Black was outstanding from the first five-eighth position, kicking all five conversions and a penalty and being tactically sound.

Nathan Tweedy from the Manawatu, out of St. Peter’s in Cambridge last year, was strong at openside flanker. He won several turnovers and was strong with ball in hand.

This fixture was an inaugural Hurricanes-Blues U20s match, in the 20th season of Super Rugby. ?

As part of the build-up for the 2015 U20 World Cup in Italy, a New Zealand U20 Squad will be selected on 23 March to go to Australia a series of matches.

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