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Joe Allison / Getty Images
Jordie Barrett of the Hurricanes scores his second try against the Highlanders at Dunedin.
Jordie Barrett put on one of the great fullback displays to guide the Hurricanes to their first win of the season at Dunedin on Friday, scoring all of his team’s points in a 30-19 victory.
On a night when Aaron Smith won his 154th game with the Highlanders, beating Ben Smith, Barrett was simply magnificent, running on three attempts and twice punishing the Highlanders with long-range penalties with his right foot cannon. .
Joe Allison / Getty Images
Hurricanes fullback Jordie Barrett throws himself in for his first try Friday.
The Hurricanes were too rough in the critical moments before and after halftime and the home team’s apparent lack of composure will give Tony Brown plenty to think about before the overwhelming drive to face the Crusaders in Christchurch next Friday.
But the Hurricanes are finally on the move after a false start against the Chiefs last week, and what will please coach Jason Holland is the amount of guts they showed when the flow of the game ran against them.
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Coming out of the sheds with a 17-7 lead at halftime based on skillful attacking play and desperate defense, the Hurricanes delivered a dagger strike within five minutes of a restart.
Highlanders number 10 Mitch Hunt threw a simple high kick from Barrett and from the subsequent scrum the visitors advanced onto the field, finally hitting a flying Barrett with an inside ball for the All Black’s triplet of attempts. .
His easy conversion brought the score to 24-7, and although the Hurricanes hooker talisman Dane Coles was replaced shortly after after a practical exhibition, the game was well under control.
Consolation tries Highlanders Connor Garden-Bachop and Thomas Umaga-Jensen cut the final score to 30-19 when the home team showed some fighting, but it was too little too late.
Derek Morrison / www.photosport.
Record-setting running back Aaron Smith, in his 154th appearance with the Highlanders, fuels the scrum on Friday.
For the Highlanders, Josh Ioane was dangerous with ball in hand at fullback, while return block Pari Pari Parkinson again showed his All Blacks potential with an excellent return to rugby in front of a crowd of 13,665.
But the Highlanders had been hit by slow starts in their first three games, conceding four attempts in the first quarters and scoring none, and that bleak trend continued Friday.
After Ioane missed an early penalty, Barrett hit a characteristic 50-meter effort to open the scoring.
Then Barrett scored with a beautiful play on the baseline after five minutes as the Highlanders waited for the breakthrough, with the great fullback coming off rookie Freedom Vahaakolo to score.
The Highlanders were denied a try when Shannon Frizell fumbled over the line after some heavy carries from forwards, with Parkinson prominent.
With the pressure mounting, the Hurricanes were forced to concede a series of penalties that eventually saw Hurricanes prop Tyrel Lomax sent to the trash after 24 minutes.
Barrett then turned into a try saver with a brilliant tackle just as it looked like Vahaakolo was ready to score, though the rookie may regret the fact that he didn’t reach out to plant the ball.
Derek Morrison / www.photosport.
Pari Pari Parkinson attacks through the hurricane defense at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
It was just a temporary respite, as veteran blocking Bryn Evans emerged just as Lomax was about to return to the paddock.
However, the difference between the teams was demonstrated in the five minutes leading up to the break.
After the Highlanders, who were quick to scratch Jona Nareki, coughed up the ball trying to run out of their own 22 yards, the Hurricanes showed the benefits of a more patient approach.
After holding the ball through multiple phases while looking for spaces, that man Barrett ran a good line from Salesi Rayasi’s shoulder and accepted a volley to get under the posts.
He started the conversion and the Hurricanes took a useful 17-7 at halftime.
While the city of Dunedin hasn’t always provided Barrett with the happiest memories, tonight in late March will be one of his best hours.
The battle for the All Blacks No. 15 jersey selection is starting to get very crowded this year.
Hurricanes 30 (Jordie Barrett 3 tries, Barrett 3 cons, 3 pens) Mountaineers 19 (Bryn Evans, Connor Garden-Bachop, Thomas Umaga-Jensen tries, Josh Ioane 2 cons): HT: 17-7
MVP Points: 3 Jordie Barrett two Ardie savea 1 Pari Pari Parkinson
