The Wellington Hurricanes humbled the Otago Highlanders 56-20 to secure top spot in both the New Zealand conference and the overall Super 15 ladder in Napier yesterday.
The Hurricanes ran in eight tries to three, guaranteeing themselves home advantage through the finals series as they chase a maiden Super title.
Wrecking ball center Ma’a Nonu and nippy scrumhalf T.J. Perenara scored two tries apiece as the Hurricanes bounced back from a heavy loss to the Crusaders last week.
“It’s a step in the right direction for us, but we’ve got a wee way to go,” Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith said.
“There’s a lot of work still to be done, but I’m proud of the way we played tonight,” he added.
Despite the defeat, the Highlanders will almost certainly make the playoffs too, but will be concerned at such a comprehensive loss.
They were missing key All Blacks Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Malakai Fekitoa, who are to return to bolster their finals campaign.
The match began on a sombre note with a minute’s silence to honor former Hurricane Jerry Collins, who was killed along with his wife Alana Madill in a road accident in France.
The Hurricanes raced to an early 23-3 lead and never looked back, keeping the scoreboard ticking over and suppressing the Highlanders with crunching defense.
They have lost only two matches out of 15 this season and are runaway leaders on the ladder with 62 points.
The Hurricanes have never won a Super Rugby title, with their best result coming in 2006 when they lost the final to the Crusaders.
In Perth, Australia, Wallabies openside flanker David Pocock grabbed a hat-trick of tries as the ACT Brumbies secured a place in the Super Rugby playoffs for a third straight year with a 33-20 victory over the Western Force.
Pocock scored twice off the back of rolling mauls, while flyhalf Christian Lealiifano also crossed before halftime.
Prop Allan Alaalatoa secured the crucial bonus point with the fourth try at about the hour mark.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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