Super Rugby
Hurricanes down Bulls for South Africa sweep
February 21, 2015
Report Match details
Date/Time: Feb 20, 2015, 19:10 local, 17:10 GMT
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Bulls 13 - 17 Hurricanes
Half-time: 10 - 9
Tries: Pollard
Cons: Pollard
Pens: Pollard 2
Tries: SJ Savea
Pens: Barrett 4
The Hurricanes' Julian Savea breaks through the defence, Bulls v Hurricanes, Pretoria, February 20, 2015
The Hurricanes' Julian Savea breaks through
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Julian Savea's second-half try and four penalties from All Blacks team-mate Beauden Barrett have helped the Hurricanes maintain their 100% record in the Super Rugby season. The Hurricanes, who opened their season with victory over the Lions last week, trailed 10-9 after 40 minutes at Loftus Versfeld but hit back to make it two wins from two.

"We were far from perfect but hung in there to get the win," Hurricanes skipper Conrad Smith said."The team are top of the table and there are encouraging signs from a maturing squad, but there is an awful long way to go."

Handre Pollard scored all of the Bulls' points, converting his own try and adding two penalties, but his efforts was not enough to stop the hosts sliding to their second successive home defeat. The home side more than held their own in the early going, but sloppy errors allowed their New Zealand opponents to take advantage.

Barrett opened the scoring with two penalties before Pollard got the Bulls on the board with a penalty from halfway.The South Africa international then scored the first try of the game on the half hour, crossing the whitewash after the ball was recycled to him following Jesse Kriel's break downfield.

Bulls 13-17 Hurricanes (Australia only)

Barrett reduced the deficit to a point at half-time with his third penalty after the Bulls were punished for collapsing at the scrum. The visitors then took the lead again when Barrett found the posts, shortly after Pollard had hit an upright with his kick from inside his own half.

Pollard made amends shortly afterwards but the Hurricanes turned the screw and Savea broke through decisively in the 65th minute, taking a quick tap after winning a penalty before bursting over the line. Although the Bulls attacked with vigour in the final quarter of an hour, the Hurricanes held on for victory.

The Hurricanes face Western Force in Perth next weekend before a bye in round four.

© AAP

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