Hurricanes Development go West in Levin

The Hurricanes Development team overcame a skilled Japan A side to win 36-27 at the Levin Domain on Thursday night.

Japan A kept the Hurricanes development under pressure in the first half and went into the halftime break with a 17-12 lead.

Two minutes into the second half Japan A winger Akihito Yamada found himself in the bin after taking a man in the air.

Shortly after, the Hurricanes would capitalise with halfback Richard Judd going over to score, putting his side in front.

Japan A would retake the lead with a penalty goal but two consecutive tries from Ihaia West proved decisive, final score 36-27.

Japan A was unbeaten in the two matches they had played in New Zealand and proved a tough test for the young Development team.

Head Coach Darren Larsen was happy with the way the players performed against a quality Japanese side.

“The performance was bits and bods at times but the thing I’m most proud of is the effort,” said Larsen.

“The guys assembled and we came together and we represented our region quite nicely”.

Ihaia West and Peter Umaga-Jensen were both standouts for the Hurricanes development team with West completing a hat-trick of tries in the second half.

“Ihaia West was above the rest, I thought for our professional players Peter Umaga-Jenson went about his work pretty tidily at twelve” Said Darren Larsen.

Blade Thompson came back from injury to put in a solid 40 minutes as he looks to earn his way back into the Hurricanes top side.

“It’s always a long road back through recovery and rehab and trying to get into the top group, he’s booked for forty minutes and he got through his forty minutes” Said Larsen.

Local boys Scott Cameron, Aaron Lahmert, Ryan Shelford and Willie Paia’aua all featured for the Hurricanes Development team in front of nearly 1,500 supporters.

Horowhenua Kapiti CEO Corey Kennett said those players in the team are inspiring for local aspiring rugby players.

“For them to play the next level up on their home ground in front of their families, it’s pretty inspiring stuff and it’s great for us to show the young players it’s possible to reach that next level”.

The Hurricanes take on the Sunwolves tonight at Westpac Stadium with the Japanese side still looking for their first win of the season.