Cape Town - The Kings put in a gallant performance before going down to the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby clash in Wellington on Friday.
As it happened: Hurricanes v Kings
The Hurricanes won 42-20 after leading 19-17 at half-time.
The Hurricanes scored five tries through centres Ngani Laumape and Vince Aso, No 8 Blade Thomson, flank Ardie Savea and flyhalf Beauden Barrett. Barrett was on target with four conversions and three penalties for a personal haul of 22 points.
The Kings replied with tries by lock Steven Sykes - who was playing in his 100th Super Rugby match - and flyhalf Louis Fouche. Fouche also added two conversions and two penalties.
The Hurricanes picked up a full-house of five points for their victory to move to the top of the New Zealand and Australasian Conferences.
The Kings left empty-handed and remained pointless in the Africa 2 and South African Conferences.
In next weekend's Round 6 action the Hurricanes have a bye while the Kings will welcome the Sunwolves to Port Elizabeth on Saturday, April 2 (kick-off at 17:05).
Teams:
Hurricanes
15 James Marshall, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Willis Halaholo, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Jason Woodward, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Mark Abbott, 4 Michael Fatialofa, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (captain), 1 Chris Eves
Substitutes: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Loni Uhila, 18 Ben May, 19 Geoff Cridge, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Vince Aso, 23 Matt Proctor
Kings
15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Luzuko Vulindlu, 13 Stefan Watermeyer, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Malcolm Jaer, 10 Louis Fouche, 9 Ntando Kebe, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 CJ Velleman, 5 JC Astle, 4 Steven Sykes (captain), 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Sti Sithole
Substitutes: 16 Martin Bezuidenhoudt, 17 Justin Ackerman, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Schalk Oelofse, 20 Chris Cloete, 21 Kevin Luiters, 22 Elgar Watts, 23 JP Du Plessis