30 Mar 2024

Recap: Highlanders v Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific , round six updates

9:22 pm on 30 March 2024
Caleb Delany. Highlanders v Hurricanes, Round 6 of the Super Rugby Pacific at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand on Saturday 30 March 2024. Photo credit: Michael Thomas / www.photosport.nz

Caleb Delany leaps during the Highlanders v Hurricanes, Round 6 of the Super Rugby Pacific in Dunedin. Photo: Michael Thomas / www.photosport.nz

The Hurricanes have won a clinical and ruthless 47-12 victory over the Highlanders, at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

It's a big win for the Hurricanes, who are now a perfect six from six to start their season, unbeaten at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table.

Read the full match report here: Roigard injury mars big Hurricanes win over Highlanders

This one had the potential to be an absolute shootout, because the Hurricanes had got to where they were on the table so far by simply trying to score as many points as possibly could at all times.

Coach Clark Laidlaw's approach before this game seemed to be putting as much trust in his young players as possible and it has been working, but this week they welcome back some serious firepower in Cam Roigard, Kini Naholo and Du'Plessis Kirifi.

Meanwhile, the Highlanders were their own worst enemies last weekend in Hamilton.

Tanielu Tele'a, who was a standout so far, was suspended and Jermaine Ainsley injured. But Ethan de Groot was back to offset that.

Review all the action from RNZ's blog coverage:

Team lists:

Highlanders: Ethan de Groot, Henry Bell, Saula Ma'u, Fabian Holland, Max Hicks, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c) Tom Sanders, Folau Fakatava, Rhys Patchell, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele'a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Bench: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Rohan Wingham, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Josh Timu

Hurricanes: Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love

Bench: James O'Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Du'Plessis Kirifi, TJ Perenara, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngane Puniva

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