Barrett stars as Hurricanes survive to see off Chiefs for first win

Jordie Barrett returned from injury to lead the Hurricanes past the Chiefs 25-18 for their first win of the Super Rugby Aotearoa season.

In his first game back from a shoulder injury, All Blacks utility Barrett made an instant impact with 10 points and two try assists in Hamilton, where the Hurricanes survived a red card to Scott Scrafton on Sunday.

Scrafton was shown a second yellow card with 15 minutes remaining at FMG Stadium Waikato but the Hurricanes held on to score their first win of the 2020 campaign while ending the 0-4 Chiefs’ title hopes in the 10-week round-robin tournament.

Both teams were winless heading into the contest, but the Hurricanes silenced the 15,031-strong crowd following a dominant first half on the road.

Good to get the ‘W’ in Hamilton tonight! @natstorage pic.twitter.com/koMebkV5sj

— Hurricanes Rugby (@Hurricanesrugby) July 5, 2020

Barrett kicked two conversions and two penalties, including a 62-metre effort to help the Hurricanes take a 20-3 half-time lead.

The Hurricanes star threw a long pass to Kobus van Wyk for the first try of the match in the fourth minute before Du’Plessis Kirifi also crossed over prior to the interval.

Damian McKenzie slotted his second penalty after the restart however, Warren Gatland’s Chiefs were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage during the closing stages.

Van Wyk added his second try of the match following Scrafton’s dismissal, while the Chiefs’ Lachlan Boshier scored off a long pass from Sean Wainui in the 77th minute.

KEO.co.za News wire is powered by opta