Hurricanes hold off fast-finishing Rebels

Cape Town - The Hurricanes put in a rampaging first half performance, but were forced to hold off a fast-finishing Rebels side in their Super Rugby clash in Wellington on Saturday.

As it happened: Hurricanes v Rebels

The Hurricanes blew out to a 26-0 half-time lead, but struggled in the second stanza as the Rebels got their act together in New Zealand's capital, eventually winning 29-19.

The Hurricanes scored four tries through centre Ngani Laumape, flyhalf Beauden Barrett, wing Wes Goosen and flank Vaea Fifita. Barrett was also on target with three conversions, while brother Jordie Barrett added a penalty.

The Rebels replied with three tries by lock Matt Philip, replacement back Billy Meakes and centre Reece Hodge. Flyhalf Quade Cooper added two conversions.

The Hurricanes picked up four points for their victory, but remained second in the New Zealand Conference and fourth in the Overall log.

The Rebels left empty-handed, but they too stayed top of the Australian Conference and third in the Overall standings - a spot ahead of the Hurricanes despite 'boasting' a whopping 12 fewer points than their conquerors.

In next weekend's Round 13 action, the Hurricanes travel to Auckland to play the Blues (Friday, May 10 - 09:35 SA time), while the Rebels host the Reds in Melbourne (Friday, May 10 - 11:45 SA time).

Teams:

Hurricanes

15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Chase Tiatia, 10 Beauden Barrett (captain), 9 Richard Judd, 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Fraser Armstrong.

Substitutes: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 Kane Le'aupepe, 20 Liam Mitchell, 21 Du'Plessis Kirifi, 22 Finlay Christie, 23 James Marshall

Rebels

15 Dane Haylett-Petty (captain), 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Rob Leota, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Tetera Faulkner

Substitutes: 16 Hugh Roach, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Ross Haylett-Petty, 20 Pone Fa’amausili, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Campbell Magnay, 23 Billy Meakes