Leaders win with big 2nd halves in Super Rugby

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Wellington-based Hurricanes have vaulted the unbeaten Chiefs into first place on the Super Rugby table after a shortened seventh round in which the Hamilton-based Chiefs were idle with a bye.

The Hurricanes beat the Dunedin-based Highlanders 29-14 to improve their record to six wins from seven games and lead the tournament on points differential ahead of next weekend’s top of the table clash with the Chiefs.

The ACT Brumbies remain in third place after a win over the Queensland Reds which also improved its record to 6-1.

The Christchurch-based Crusaders beat last-placed Moana Pasifika 38-21 and are fourth while the Blues stay fifth after beating the Melbourne Rebels.

All four matches followed a similar pattern in being close at halftime before the winning teams eased away in the second half.

The Reds led the Brumbies 17-15 at halftime at Suncorp Stadium where it hadn't lost to ACT since 2015. But the Brumbies ran riot in the second half to win 54-24.

Reds coach Brad Thorn, the former dual international who played rugby league for Australia and rugby union for New Zealand, said the loss would cause him to evaluate his future. He is off contract at the end of the season and said Friday’s defeat made him question whether he could contribute any more to the Reds.

"Tonight hurts because (a heavy loss at home) can’t happen,” Thorn said. “End of the day it’s on me. I’m a fighter by nature, I like challenges but it’s a disappointing one tonight. I like to contribute. When it’s not going so well, it’s tough.”

Moana Pasifika also was in front at halftime, 21-17 over the defending champion Crusaders who were expected to dominate. The Crusaders couldn’t get on top in the first half against Moana which made good use of its big, powerful ball-runners Levi Aumua and Timoci Tavatavanawai who shared three tries.

Richie Mo’unga kicked 13 points in his 100th match for the Crusaders who built their lead with three second half tries but missed a bonus point.

The Hurricanes led 8-7 at halftime after a drab first half against the Highlanders, punctuated by errors up until halftime. They also drew away with three tries in the second half as winger Salesi Rayasi completed a double.

Hurricanes scrumhalf Cam Roigard had another strong match and is being touted by some commentators as an outside chance to make the All Blacks’ World Cup squad.

"(The speculation) is out there a little bit but I think my main focus is trying to play well for this group,” Roigard said. “We’ve got a Super Rugby title to win so that’s where my main focus is.”

The Rebels led the Blues 17-13 at halftime but the Blues ran in seven of their nine tries after the break and held the Rebels scoreless to win 54-17.

“In the first half we felt like we were dominant, we just weren’t getting it over the line,” Blues captain Dalton Papali’i said. “In the second half we really opened up and that’s the style of footy we want to play.

“It goes to show, when we’re on top of our game we can really put some damage on some teams. We just have to take that confidence and carry it on through the rest of the season.”

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