All Black hopeful makes key impact off bench as weakened Hurricanes beat Moana Pasifika at home

Rising star Peter Lakai made a try-scoring impact off the bench as the Hurricanes beat Moana Pasifika 32-24 in Wellington on Friday.

The hosts managed four tries through Raymon Tuputupu, Siale Lauaki, Richard Judd and Lakai while fly-half Aidan Morgan kicked three conversions and two penalties.

Moana also scored four tries on the night through Sione Mafileo, Abraham Pole, Fine Inisi and Alamanda Motuga with William Havili and Christian Leali’ifano kicking a conversion each.

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The Hurricanes were the first side on the board through Tuputupu who crashed over from the back of a maul 11 minutes in for an unconverted effort. Fellow front-row Lauaki also got his name on the scoresheet as he finished off a lovely bit of play on the 20-minute mark with Morgan nailing the conversion on this occasion.

They would double down with another quick score minutes later through scrum-half Judd as Morgan added more extras.

Moana were not going to take it lying down and got on the board themselves for an unconverted try in the 26th minute through Mafileo. The visitors knew they needed another score before the break and got that through Pole as Havili managed to slot the kick on this occasion.

The first score after the break was important for the outcome of the game and it went to Moana’s Inisi after 52 minutes. However, the joy was short-lived as ‘Canes replacement Lakai showed his work rate by charging down the clearance kick after the resulting kick-off to score a crucial try.

The ‘Canes would not score another try but added a penalty through Morgan to keep Moana out of striking distance. The visitors would make the game close with a try five minutes from time but unfortunately for Moana they gave away a penalty almost immediately after handing Morgan and the Hurricanes three more points that killed off their chances.

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Teams

Hurricanes: 15 Harry Godfrey, 14 Daniel Sinkinson, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Kini Naholo, 10 Aidan Morgan, 9 Richard Judd, 8 Devan Flanders, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Brad Shields (c), 5 Ben Grant, 4 Justin Sangster, 3 Siale Lauaki, 2 Raymond Tuputupu, 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones
Replacements: 16 James O’Reilly, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Jordi Viljoen, 22 Riley Higgins, 23 Salesi Rayasi

Moana Pasifika: 15 Danny Toala, 14 Fine Inisi, 13 Henry Taefu, 12 Julian Savea, 11 Neria Fomai, 10 William Havili, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Lotu Inisi, 7 Sione Havili Talitui (c), 6 Jacob Norris, 5 Allan Craig, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 Samiuela Moli, 1 Abraham Pole
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Tevita Langi, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Ola Tauelangi, 20 Alamanda Motuga, 21 Aisea Halo, 22 Christian Lealiifano, 23 Anzelo Tuitavuki

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