The Queensland Reds copped some more capital punishment in the form of a 52-14 thumping at the hands of the high flying Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds haven’t won in New Zealand’s windy city since the Athletic Park days in 1998, when Queensland legends John Eales and Tim Horan were running around.
That stadium has long been knocked down an a rest home now lives on the site.
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The Hurricanes have now won 11 straight against the Reds – home or away – running in eight tries to two. Clark Laidlaw’s side have racked up at least 50 points in four of their six games.
The only man who could slow the home team down was referee Angus Mabey, who timed out Ruben Love for taking too long to kick a conversion in the first half.
The Reds lost Wallabies captain Harry Wilson to a HIA and the result snapped a four-game winning streak for Les Kiss’ side.
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Fraser McReight of the Reds reacts after a Hurricanes try in Wellington. Getty
“The scoreboard is the reality of today’s performance. Credit to the Hurricanes. They were brutal,” Queensland captain Fraser McReight said.
“I thought we were great in that first 15 minutes, after conceding early points (tries to Cam Roigard and Josh Moorby). And then just went away from our game plan.”
Poor kicking and skill execution let the Reds down and Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo feasted yet again.
The former sevens star grabbed a hat-trick for the second straight week to join ACT Brumbies No.8 Charlie Cale on top of the try-scoring charts with nine.
The bonus point win kept the Hurricanes on top of the Super Rugby Pacific standings ahead of a bye next week.
The Reds are fourth and will host the Western Force next Saturday.
“We’re going to have a great look at this game and there’s going to be plenty to pick out and work on,” McReight said.
“That’s great for us. We get to get better and just enjoy the grind. We get to go back home, love playing at Suncorp and against a good team who are playing great footy.
“We’ve had some great battles over the past few years, so really looking forward to that.”
Fehi Fineanganofo of the Hurricanes breaks away for a try. Getty
Fineanganofo, bound for the Newcastle Red Bulls in 2027 and out of All Blacks contention, outscoed the opposition on his own.
His first came in the 18th minute, finishing off a sweeping move sparked by Devan Flanders straight from the restart after Moorby’s try.
His second followed a slick lineout play, Peter Lakai’s no-look pass sending him over, before he completed the treble minutes later with a 50m intercept off McReight.
“I said before we came here that we’re playing the best team in the comp and they played like they’re the best team in the comp,” Reds coach Kiss said.
“We weren’t as good as we could have been, without a doubt, but they’re going to be a difficult team to beat this year.”
Replacement hooker Vernon Bason continued a memorable month for his family, scoring the final try to take the Hurricanes past 50 points, days after his sister Taufa Bason earned her maiden Black Ferns call-up.
After a slip-up in Lautoka against the Fijian Drua in round three, the Hurricanes have responded with four straight wins.
Three of those have come against teams from across the ditch – the NSW Waratahs, Force and Reds – with only the Brumbies to come during Super Round in Christchurch on April 25 to complete the Australian sweep.
While the fixture won’t be played in Wellington, the Hurricanes will be glad they don’t have to make the trip to Canberra, where they traditionally struggle.
“We’re super happy with the way we played and happy to finish the block and head into the bye with a good performance,” Hurricanes coach Laidlaw said.
“I loved some of our defence in the second half.” – with Stuff