Lam to the Slaughter and Hurricanes Hat-tricks

Above: Ben Lam scored two tries against the Highlanders last Saturday night, backing that up with a record-equalling four-try haul against the Rebels six days later. 

Good Friday was especially good for Ben Lam and the Hurricanes. The former New Zealand Sevens wing from the Tawa club became the first Hurricane to score four tries in a match.

Previously there were 14 hat-tricks by Hurricanes players in the first 20 years of Super Rugby, including three in one season in 1997, the year the Hurricanes first made the semi-finals, and two in 2012, the year the Hurricanes scored 58 tries.

The individual record for most tries in a single Super Rugby match is four tries, also held by 11 players. The players who have scored four tries in a Super Rugby are: Joe Roff (for the Brumbies, in 1996), Gavin Lawless (Sharks, 1996), Stefan Terblanche (Sharks, 1996), Joeli Vidiri (Blues, 2000), Doug Howlett (Blues, 2002), Mils Muliaina (Blues, 2002), Caleb Ralph (Crusaders, 2002), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs, 2009), Drew Mitchell (Waratahs, 2010), Sean Maitland (Crusaders, 2011), Asaeli Tikoirotuma (Chiefs, 2012), Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs, 2016), Huw Jones (Stormers, 2016), Courtnall Skosan (Lions, 2017) and Ben Lam (Hurricanes, 2018). Howlett’s four tries were against the Hurricanes.

Ngani Laumape v Blues, 2018 at Wellington

The Hurricanes entered this fixture with an attack that had turned barren. For the first time in their history they failed to score more than 15 points in three games on trot, succumbing in each encounter. In wet and windy weather, two tries by second-five Ngani Laumape had the hosts ahead of the Blues with ten minutes to go, but two brilliant tries by All Black wing Reiko Ioane made it a slender 28-24 advantage. Brad Sheilds celebrating his 100th match for the Hurricanes would cap his milestone by throwing a beauty of a cut out pass to Laumape to propel the Hurricanes to a 35-24 lead before Beauden Barrett snatched a juggling intercept and delivered a behind the back pass of rare quality to the rampaging Laumape who rushed from halfway for a fourth. The Hurricanes won 42-24,which was their seventh consecutive triumph against the Blues and their 21st win in 22 games at the Westpac Stadium. 

Ben Lam v Rebels, 2018 at Melbourne

Ben Lam became the first Hurricane to score four tries in a single match when he rushed into the corner in the 79th minute to bring up his sides’ 50 against the top-ranked Australian team. Earlier the Hurricanes had trailed 19-8, but Lam scored a try from a freakish Beauden Barrett kick to spark a Hurricanes revival which produced 42 unanswered points. Lam scored two tries a week earlier against the Highlanders. The Hurricanes 50-19 victory was their 11th in a row against Australian opposition and the 33rd on the trot for all New Zealand teams against Aussie sides.

Vince Aso v Cheetahs, 2017, at Wellington

Aso joined Tana Umaga in 1997 (below) as the only Hurricanes to score two hat-tricks in the same season when he crossed three times in a resounding 61-7 win against a poor Cheetahs outfit. This game is notable for the fact that Hugh Renton joined Mark Allen as the only Hurricane to captain the side on debut.

Vince Aso v Brumbies, 2017, at Napier

The Hurricanes trailed the Brumbies 14-21 at halftime at McLean Park, but produced one of their best halves ever to achieve their second biggest win against the Brumbies. The Hurricanes scored 42 unanswered points with Beauden Barrett producing a vintage display and Aso enhancing his growing reputation by scoring his first Super Rugby hat-trick. Aso had turned down a contract with the Blues.

Nehe Milner-Skudder v Rebels 2017, at Wellington

In 2017, the Hurricanes established new records for most points (691) and tries (101) in a single season. In their first home game of the season, the Hurricanes ran riot against the Rebels achieving a record 71-6 win against an Australian opponent.  Milner-Skudder returning from injury was back to his best scoring a practically memorable try from a chip and chase down the right wing side

Julian Savea v Jaguares 2016, at Wellington

In the first ever meeting between the Hurricanes and Argentina’s only Super side All Black Julian Savea marked the occasion by scoring three tries against a stubborn opponent. The visitors scored three tires and were in the fight until the Hurricanes pulled away. The Hurricanes would go onto win their maiden Super Rugby title in 2016.

 Cory Jane v Reds 2014, at Wellington

Upper Hutt Rams right wing Jane became the third Hurricanes player to score a hat-trick against the Reds, following Umaga’s in 2000 and Gear’s in 2010, helping the Hurricanes to a 35-21 win and their sixth straight victory over the Reds at home. Jane latched on to breaks by fullback Andre Taylor and No. 8 Victor Vito respectively to score his first two tries, but the Hurricanes trailed 10-14 at halftime. The Hurricanes rallied after the break and halfback TJ Perenara crossed, followed by Jane again, after a bust up the middle by lock James Broadhurst. Jane’s third try was notable for being the Hurricanes’ 700th try in Super Rugby.

Julian Savea v Rebels 2012, at Wellington

The Hurricanes scored their most number of points in a Super Rugby match in routing the Rebels 66-24. Oriental-Rongotai left wing Savea scored three, fullback Andre Taylor and right wing Alapati Leuia scored two tries each and first five-eighth Beauden Barrett kicked all his 10 shots on goal as the Hurricanes surpassed their previous highest Super Rugby score of 64-32 against Northern Transvaal (now the Bulls) in New Plymouth in 1997 (see above). The Hurricanes scored five tries in the first half to take a 38-17 lead into halftime, Savea scoring two, The Hurricanes outscored the Rebels four tries to one in the second half, the Bus scoring his third.

TJ Perenara v Force 2012, at Perth

Halfback TJ Perenara scored his hat-trick in his Super Rugby starting debut as part of this 46-19 win. On a hot night, Perenara scored two tries in the first half and one more early in the second in an emphatic six tries to one win. In the Hurricanes franchise’s 200th Super Rugby match, the Hurricanes opened up the Force and Northern United’s Perenara was always in support. The Hurricanes went into halftime holding a decisive 22-10 lead after scoring two quick tries Former New Zealand Secondary Schools captain Perenara completed his hat trick by scoring the first try after halftime. Perenara was the Hurricanes’ leading try-scorer in 2015 with 12 tries, whilst he has scored 30 overall.

Hosea Gear v Reds 2010, at Wellington 

Hutt Old Boys Marist Wing Hosea Gear's hat trick was a highlight in this 44-21 win. Gear dominated the left-hand lane in this match with his power and speed, making several other big breaks in addition to his three tries. The Hurricanes won the match by scoring 36 unanswered points and 31 in the second half after trailing 8-21 late in the first half. Gear sparked the revival by scoring his first try on the stroke of halftime, and added his second soon after the break. His third try on 60 minutes from a 40-metre raid was a key play of the game. Of note, Rodney So’oialo played his 100th game for the Hurricanes in this match.

Andrew Hore v Chiefs 2006, at Hamilton

Andrew Hore led the charge of the hookers in 2006 by becoming the first forward in Super Rugby to score a hat-trick of tries in the Hurricanes’ 35-10 over the Chiefs. Maniototo rake Hore’s three tries - fittingly in his 50th Super Rugby match - helped propel the Hurricanes towards the 2006 semi-finals and eventually on to the final against the Crusaders. Hore revelled in slippery conditions at Westpac Stadium in this clash and came out on top of a forwards dominated battle, scoring his first try as the Hurricanes led 16-3 at halftime and then bursting over the line from close range twice in the second to seal victory. In all Hore scored 19 Super Rugby tries (including two for the Highlanders)

Ma’a Nonu v Brumbies 2005, at Wellington

The first hat-trick by a Hurricanes player on Westpac Stadium. Oriental-Rongotai’s Nonu was electric in several matches on the left wing in 2005 and he delivered a decisive hat-trick in this entertaining 49-37 win. Nonu’s hat trick came in the second half after a tense and seesawing match in which scores were locked up at 20-20 after almost 50 minutes. Nonu lit the fuse, scoring his first try off the shoulder of flanker Chris Masoe and then running like a freight train to score solo tries in the 59th and 62nd minutes. With the game in the bag, Nonu was subbed off with 10 minutes remaining and denied the chance for a fourth as the Hurricanes scored twice more before the final whistle.

Tana Umaga v Reds 2000, at New Plymouth

Three years after his first two, Umaga scored his third hat-trick as part of this 43-25 win. Umaga’s three tries were telling, the right wing scoring his first two in injury time in the first half as the Hurricanes extended a 19-13 lead to a 33-13 advantage at the turnaround. Umaga then sealed the outcome after combining superbly with fullback Christian Cullen Umaga went on to score 47 tries in his 122 matches between 1996-2007.

Jason O’Halloran v Blues 1998, at Wellington

Jason O’Halloran’s hat-trick was the only one as part of a losing cause. The Hurricanes arrived at Athletic Park for their final game of the season with little to play for but pride, after a promising start to their campaign that had seen them win their opening three games but then drop away. The Blues were playing for a home semi-final. Two first half tries to future Hurricane Jonah Lomu put the Blues ahead 31-15 at halftime, Petone midfielder O’Halloran scoring his first try off a Tana Umaga break. The Hurricanes saved their best until last, winning the second half and O’Halloran scoring two more tries. The Blues won 37-25.

Christian Cullen v Orange Free State [Cheetahs] 1997, at Wellington

Christian Cullen is the Hurricanes’ leading all-time try scorer with 56 tries in 85 matches. This was the Northern United fullback’s sole hat-trick. The Hurricanes were returning from their three-week Australian and South African tour and Athletic Park was humming with 32,000 fans. Some were still taking their seats when the fullback flashed in for this first try in the 8th minute off an Alama Ieremia kick. Cullen capitalised on his forwards’ dominance to score another try in the 25th minute and took a long pass from flanker Martin Leslie to add his third on the hour. Cullen scored 11 tries in 10 matches for the Hurricanes in 1997 and went on to score 16 in 13 internationals for the All Blacks later that year. This was also the Hurricanes’ first win in Wellington after two losses there the year before. The final score was 59-30.

Tana Umaga v Highlanders 1997, at Wellington 

The biggest win, in terms of points scored against a New Zealand opposition, was achieved just five weeks after the thumping of the Bulls. On of Umaga’s tries was a 75-metre run from inside his 22 and another a long-rang intercept try. Umaga’s wing partner Alex Telea and second five-eighth Jason O’Halloran both scored braces, while stand-in kicker Christian Cullen scored a try and kicked six conversions and a penalty for 20 points. It was also a proud day for Wellington’s Tiatia family - Filo for the Hurricanes and Ace for the Highlanders, both scoring tries.

Tana Umaga v Northern Transvaal [Bulls] 1997, at New Plymouth 

Petone crowd favourite Tana Umaga scored three hat-tricks in Super Rugby, including two in one season in 1997. This one helped kick-start the Hurricanes ‘campaign that saw them make the semi-finals for the first time. Going into this third round match the Hurricanes were a desperate side after dropping their opening two games of the year and winning just three of 11 in 1996. Fullback Christian Cullen was also injured Instead of folding, the caged Hurricanes came our blazing.They upped their pace and urgency and whipped the Bulls, 64-32, with Umaga on fire.

The article above has been updated since first published here three years ago.