30 Mar 2013

Canes win third game in high-scoring romp over Kings

6:45 pm on 30 March 2013

The Hurricanes have easily beaten the visiting South African side the Southern Kings 46-30 in their Super Rugby clash in Wellington.

It's the Hurricanes' third win from five games, and third straight. They scored six tries to the Kings' four and led 29-16 at half-time.

Prop Ben May finished off the opening try from 10 yards after a backline move in the fourth minute.

Lock Steven Sykes hit back for the Kings but Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith replied almost straight away with a try in the corner.

Then halfback TJ Perenara crossed again on the half-hour mark before lock Jeremy Thrush got the bonus point try before half-time.

Kings centre Ronnie Cooke scored the first try in the second half to close the gap to just six points at 29-23 but flanker Brad Shields scored again for the Hurricanes with 15 minutes left to make it 36-23.

Wing Alapati Leiua then notched a late trademark intercept try under the posts.

All Black first five Beauden Barrett kicked a penalty too to make his personal haul 16 points, including five conversions and two penalties.

Rynier Bernardo rounded off the try-scoring just before full-time with the Kings' bonus point try.

Thrush had to be helped off the field near the end of the game with a serious-looking leg injury.