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A strong performance throughout from the Canes proved too strong for the boys from New South Wales. Credit to the Canes who had to deal without key players pulling out at the last minute, namely Vito and Franks. But the younger boys stepped up and filled the void. A special mention to the 19 year old Ardie Savea who played out of his skin in his 1st Super Rugby start, don't be surprised if you see this younger fetcher wearing the black of the Kiwi's this summer.
The Waratahs will feel hard done by, they might have deserved more from this game but their poor discipline in defence and lack of sharpness in attack killed most of their plays.
The Hurricanes now sit in the 2nd wild card position, only 3points behind the Reds in 4th meanwhile the Tahs are in 10th, one point behind the Cheetahs.
Be sure to stay tuned for full coverage of the Aussie derby between the Rebels and Force.
With the last play of the game Kaplan goes upstairs to see if Hooper has managed to grab a bonus point try for the Tahs. Unfortunately for them he was tackled into touch just short of the line.
With a kickable penalty, Dennis makes the wise decision to kick down the line. They set a maul up and drive forward. Hooper breaks from the back and the ball is spread wide. Folau receives the ball out wide, still with a lot of work to do. The steps inside and gets on the inside shoulder of the last Canes defender and with every centimetre of his 1.9m frame he stretches over for the try!
What a tackle !
Good patient play from the Waratahs in the Canes 22. They move the ball wide after a number of pick and goes and AAC beats two to just about make it over the line.
Exceptional skill from Savea gets the Canes the bonus point. After a chip over the top nobody is at home for the Tahs. Savea manages to pick the ball up off his boot laces without even slowing down to gather the ball and stroll in for his 2nd!
Barrett, with the benefit of an advantage, dinks a ball in behind the Tahs goal line. Matu'u is lying in wait and pounces upon the bouncing ball to extend the Canes lead to 12 points.
A superb bit of play from the Canes. Barrett makes a half break and draws a defener in before getting the ball away to Smith. A sublime piece of skill from Smith manages to get the ball into Goodes hands on the wing. The 21year old shows good hands to gather and runs it in for the first score of the 2nd half.
Another penalty conceded by the Tahs, no.3 again, thats a personal tally of 2 for Kepu, handing 6points straight to Beauden Barrett.