Cats go down fighting

2006-02-24 11:14

Wellington - Samoan international Lome Fa'atau scored two tries on Friday as the Hurricanes beat the Cats 29-16 to remain unbeaten after three matches in rugby's Super 14.

Fa'atau crossed the line in the third and 38th minutes as the Hurricanes built a 19-10 halftime lead and All Blacks fullback Isaiah Toeava snatched a lucky last-minute try to give the Hurricanes their third bonus point in straight games.

All Blacks flank Chris Masoe also scored as the Hurricanes rocked the Cats with two tries in the last four minutes of the first half, before being held tryless for 39 minutes in the second half.

Fa'atau has five tries from three games after Friday's double to lead the Super 14 try-scoring race, while the Cats picked up their first try of the season through centre Grant Esterhuizen.

Quick hands gave Fa'atau an inch of space from which he crafted his opening try, giving the Hurricanes a 7-0 lead with David Holwell's conversion.

Searing blindside break

The Cats hit back with an 18th-minute try to Esterhuizen, made by halfback Ricky Januarie who made a searing blindside break before turning the ball inside to the midfielder in support.

Earl Rose, stepping into flyhalf in place of the injured Tiaan Snyman, converted the try and kicked penalties in the 11th, 58th and 78th minutes to complete the Cats scoring.

Masoe plunged over a tryline ruck for the Hurricanes' second try in the 36th minute a Fa'atau fielded a fortuitous bounce for his second two minutes from halftime.

The Hurricanes seemed likely to go without a four-try bonus point for the first time this season until Fa'atau created a try for Toeava in the last minute.

Hurricanes 29 (Lome Fa'atau 2, Chris Masoe, Isaiah Toeava tries; David Holwell 2 conversions, penalty; Jimmy Gopperth conversion), Cats 16 (Grant Esterhuizen try; Earl Rose conversion, 3 penalties).

- AP