Super Rugby
Hurricanes rumble to impressive derby win
ESPN Staff
May 23, 2015
Report Match details
Date/Time: May 23, 2015, 19:35 local, 07:35 GMT
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Blues 5 - 29 Hurricanes
Half-time: 0 - 17
Tries: Vaega
Tries: Coles, Eves, Milner-Skudder, Perenara
Cons: Black 3
Pens: Black
The Hurricanes' Rey Lee-Lo takes off for a run, Blues v Hurricanes, Auckland, May 23, 2015
The Hurricanes' Rey Lee-Lo takes off for a run
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The Hurricanes have all but wrapped up top spot for the playoffs following yet another excellent win over one of their New Zealand conference rivals, this time the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland.

The ladder leaders overcame a dour first 25 minutes to cruise to a commanding 24-point win that all but secures them the No.1 seed for the semi-finals - a position that has provided the majority of Super Rugby champions throughout the competition's 20-year history.

Wet conditions on offer in Auckland made handling difficult, and it showed inside the first half hour as both sides attempted to move the ball but were repeatedly brought undone by handling errors. Playing his record-equalling 122nd Hurricanes game, Ma'a Nonu was heavily involved as he drew level with the great Tana Umaga.

Blues 5-29 Hurricanes (Australia only)

But it wasn't until prop Chris Eves forced his way over in the 34th minute that the game found its first try; the prop the beneficiary of some robust work from his forward team-mates close to the line.

The Blues wouldn't have been too dissatisfied with their first-half efforts had the score remained 10-0 at the break but the Hurricanes managed another five-pointer right on the stroke of half-time. A scrum inside the Blues' 22 provided a fine platform for the Hurricanes to attack from and, after some slick work from both Nonu and Nehe Milner-Skudder, half-back TJ Perenara touched down for his eighth try of the year.

The visitors virtually put the game out of reach 12 minutes after the break when All Blacks hooker Dane Coles drove his way over with some powerful leg drive; Black's conversion taking the score out to 24-0 with 25 minutes to play.

The Blues finally got themselves on the board when replacement back Matt Vaega slid over in the corner but it mattered little as the Hurricanes responded with the bonus-point try through Milner- Skudder. One of the breakout players of the season, Milner-Skudder received a wonderful flick pass from powerhouse winger Julian Savea and then produced a brilliant leap to evade the Blues defenders and touch down in the corner by the barest of margins.

The win moves the Hurricanes 13 points clear at the top of the New Zealand conference with only the Chiefs and Highlanders, who play later Saturday night, capable of shifting the Wellington side from the summit of the Super Rugby ladder. A win over the Crusaders in Nelson will kill off the challenges of their New Zealand rivals however, and secure home-ground advantage at Westpac Stadium for the post-season.

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