Wellington (AFP)
The Wellington Hurricanes had a second success (17-11) in the Super Rugby Aotearoa, resisting the late return of the Otago Highlanders, Sunday on the 5th day of this mini-championship of five New Zealand franchises formed due to the coronavirus.
The Hurricanes had the game for a long time: they led 17-0 at the start of the second period after scoring three tries, but their indiscipline allowed the Highlanders to return to the game.
Returning to six points, the players of the province of Otago, in the south of the archipelago, even had one last possession to snatch the victory but they spoiled it by losing the ball on a throw in touch.
The Hurricanes snatch 3rd place from the Highlanders' ranking, far behind the Canterbury Crusaders, who have so far been faultless (4 wins in 4 games). The Auckland Blues, beaten Saturday by the Crusaders (26-15) are second and the Waikato Chiefs, who have not yet won a single game, close the march.
The Super Rugby Aotearoa is a New Zealand version of the championship which traditionally opposes franchises from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Argentina and Japan, suspended this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Results of the 5th day:
Saturday
Crusaders - Blues 26-15
Sunday
Hurricanes - Highlanders 17-11
Exempt: Chiefs
Pts JGNP ranking dif Good
Crusaders 18 4 4 0 0 +50 2
Blues 12 4 3 0 1 +14 0
Hurricanes 8 4 2 0 2 -11 0
Highlanders 6 4 1 0 3 -28 2
Chiefs 3 4 0 0 4 -25 3
Program for the 6th day:
Hurricanes - Blues
Chiefs - highlanders
Exempt: Crusaders
© 2020 AFP