26 Feb 2022

Hurricanes claim comeback win

9:45 pm on 26 February 2022

The Hurricanes claimed a 33-32 boilover win against the shell-shocked Blues in Super Rugby Pacific.

A late try to courageous Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea set up the remarkable come from behind victory, with a conversion from Ruben Love to bring up the one-point win.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck looks for support during the Blues v Hurricanes, Round 2 of the Super Rugby Pacific rugby union competition at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck looks for support. Photo: Derek Morrison / www.photosport.nz

Savea was thrilled with the win, and thanked his team-mates for their skills and heart in the post-match interview.

The Hurricanes' stunning attacking effort, with five tries to four at full-time, left the Blues players wondering how their 18-point lead had been overtaken.

The Blues played brilliant rugby from a flying start in a game of breathtaking speed.

Star recruit RogerTuivasa-Sheck, the former Warriors captain, made up for lost time after the Blues had to sit out round one due to Covid-19 cases among their opponents, Moana Pasifika.

Tuivasa-Sheck's bustling debut showed he will have plenty to offer in the new season of rugby. While the Blues' strong forward pack helped the Aucklanders keep possesion.

Blues versus Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific, at Dunedin, Feb 2022.

Zarn Sullivan Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Hurricanes coach Jason Holland was ecstatic with the unlikely victory.

"We held onto the ball and we were accurate, so we put the Blues under pressure," Holland said.

"We've been on the wrong end of a few of those and we'll take that."

The Blues had an 18-point lead with nine minutes on the clock and will be looking closely at what happened in the last 10 minutes.

Meanwhile the Brumbies were too strong for Fijian Drua in Canberra, with a 42-3 win.

-RNZ