Super Rugby Pacific: Hurricanes maintain unbeaten run, as TJ Perenara equals tryscoring record against Chiefs

Veteran halfback TJ Perenara showed his willingness and ability to step back into a starring role for the Hurricanes, as he powered them to a 36-23 Super Rugby Pacific win over archrivals Chiefs at Wellington.

Promoted into the No.9 jersey by a season-ending injury to All Blacks incumbent Cam Roigard, Perenara grabbed a try double to equal the competition tryscoring record of 62, already held by former teammate Julian Savea.

Last month, Perenara surpassed his old buddy as the franchise's most-capped performer, but with Savea still active with Moana Pasifika, the try contest is likely not over yet.

Veteran TJ Perenara had the first try, after a period of scrum dominance saw No.8 Brayden Iose go close, before his halfback scooped up the ball to score.

Chiefs halfback Cortez Ratima quickly countered, when he dashed into the 22, regathered his deflected pass and sprinted to the posts.  

When Hurricanes flanker Peter Lakai broke the Chiefs defence, quick hands put hooker Asafo Aumua in at the corner. The try was ruled out for a knockon, but the Chiefs lost winger Emoni Narawa to a yellow card for offside and paid an immediate toll.

From the ensuing scrum, Iose grabbed his team's second try.

Chiefs first-five Damian McKenzie kept the visitors close with a couple of penalties and they were probably fortunate to trail only 17-13 at the break, although they had lost key strike weapon Shaun Stevenson to injury.

They went onto attack from the second-half restart and McKenzie brought them within a point with another penalty in front of the posts.

The Chiefs took the lead, when Hurricanes second-five Jordie Barrett threw a loose pass, which was hacked ahead by lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi. While winger Josh Moorby seemed to have snuffed out the threat, the Chiefs forwards stole the ball on the tryline, and McKenzie and Josh Ioane combined to put Narawa across.  

Their advantage was shortlived though, as centre Billy Proctor and winger Kini Naholo took the ball into the Chiefs 22, and Perenara juggled an offload for his second try.  

The Hurricanes stretched their advantage, when Moorby surged into the 22 and they put together 15 phases of possession, which ended with Naholo enjoying the spoils at the end. The try was reviewed for a questionable cleanout, but eventually confirmed.

Hooker Asafo Aumua had proved a handful for the defence all night and finally got his just reward, when he powered over in the right corner.

Hurricanes 36 (Perenara 2, Iose, Naholo, Aumua tries; Cameron penalty & 4 conversions) Chiefs 23 (Ratima, Narawa tries; McKenzie 2 conversions & 3 penalties)

More to come

Veteran halfback TJ Perenara showed his willingness and ability to step back into a starring role for the Hurricanes, as he powered them to a 36-23 Super Rugby Pacific win over archrivals Chiefs at Wellington.

Promoted into the No.9 jersey by a season-ending injury to All Blacks incumbent Cam Roigard, Perenara grabbed a try double to equal the competition tryscoring record of 62, already held by former teammate Julian Savea.

Last month, Perenara surpassed his old buddy as the franchise's most-capped performer, but with Savea still active with Moana Pasifika, the try contest is likely not over yet.

Veteran TJ Perenara had the first try, after a period of scrum dominance saw No.8 Brayden Iose go close, before his halfback scooped up the ball to score.

Chiefs halfback Cortez Ratima quickly countered, when he dashed into the 22, regathered his deflected pass and sprinted to the posts.  

When Hurricanes flanker Peter Lakai broke the Chiefs defence, quick hands put hooker Asafo Aumua in at the corner. The try was ruled out for a knockon, but the Chiefs lost winger Emoni Narawa to a yellow card for offside and paid an immediate toll.

From the ensuing scrum, Iose grabbed his team's second try.

Chiefs first-five Damian McKenzie kept the visitors close with a couple of penalties and they were probably fortunate to trail only 17-13 at the break, although they had lost key strike weapon Shaun Stevenson to injury.

They went onto attack from the second-half restart and McKenzie brought them within a point with another penalty in front of the posts.

The Chiefs took the lead, when Hurricanes second-five Jordie Barrett threw a loose pass, which was hacked ahead by lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi. While winger Josh Moorby seemed to have snuffed out the threat, the Chiefs forwards stole the ball on the tryline, and McKenzie and Josh Ioane combined to put Narawa across.  

Their advantage was shortlived though, as centre Billy Proctor and winger Kini Naholo took the ball into the Chiefs 22, and Perenara juggled an offload for his second try.  

The Hurricanes stretched their advantage, when Moorby surged into the 22 and they put together 15 phases of possession, which ended with Naholo enjoying the spoils at the end. The try was reviewed for a questionable cleanout, but eventually confirmed.

Hooker Asafo Aumua had proved a handful for the defence all night and finally got his just reward, when he powered over in the right corner.

Hurricanes 36 (Perenara 2, Iose, Naholo, Aumua tries; Cameron penalty & 4 conversions) Chiefs 23 (Ratima, Narawa tries; McKenzie 2 conversions & 3 penalties)

More to come

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