14/03/2008 12:30

Canberra - Backrower Chris Masoe scored two second-half tries to propel the Hurricanes to their fourth consecutive Super 14 win with a 33-15 defeat of the Brumbies on Friday.

The Hurricanes scored one try and led 7-3 after a stop-start first half that was marred by errors and free kicks, but ran in four tries in the second period that earned them a bonus point.

The 18-point margin equalled the Brumbies' worst at home.

The Hurricanes outmuscled the understrength Brumbies at the breakdown and were aggressive in defence, contributing to two length-of-the-field counter-attacking tries.

"They bashed us at the breakdown, they were just physically too strong for us there," Brumbies coach Laurie Fischer said. "Every mistake we made, they pounced on it."

Hurricanes captain Rodney So'oialo said the Wellington team made the most of its chances at the turnovers.

Turnover ball

"We're really happy the boys expressed themselves a little bit today and we've got five tries out of it," he said. "It's just flair. We're a bit similar to the Brumbies like that - we have similar talents. Tonight just happened to be our night."

The Brumbies lead 3-0 via an early Mark Gerrard penalty, but a try to Shannon Paku from turnover ball near halfway gave the Hurricanes a four-point buffer at the interval.

The Hurricanes dominated for most of the second half and hooker Andrew Hore spun over in the 55th minute following sustained pressure.

Brumbies No. 8 Stephen Hoiles was sent to the sin bin for using abusive language immediately after the try, but that did not prevent the home team scoring in his absence, as Josh Holmes darted down a narrow blindside opening and gave Julian Salvi an easy run to the line.

Hosea Gear and Masoe gave the Hurricanes a 33-8 lead before Brumbies centre Tyrone Smith ran in a late consolation try to reduce the final margin.

Scorers:

Brumbies (3) 15: Tries by Julian Salvi (57 min), Tyrone Smith (75 min). Mark Gerrard kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Hurricanes (7) 33: Tries by Shannon Paku (32 min), Andrew Hore (55 min), Hosea Gear (62 min), Chris Masoe (67 min & 74 min). Jimmy Gopperth kicked four conversions.