A caning for the Brumbies

The Hurricanes kick started their inaugural Super 14 rugby campaign with a stunning 40-7 win over the Brumbies in a warm-up match played before a big and enthusiastic crowd at Masterton's Memorial Park last night.
In weather conditions more suited to cricket than rugby the Hurricanes ran in six tries to one and always looked the sharper of the two sides, even during a first half in which most of their All Blacks were on the reserve bench. That opening 40 minutes ended with the Hurricanes ahead 14-0.
The Hurricanes used deft passing and astute backing up to create gaps in the defence and were rewarded with tries to impressive lock Jason Eaton and wing Lome Fa'atau.
Star of a Hurricanes second half onslaught which produced a further four tries was Tana Umaga, who was such a powerhouse on attack and defence that you had to wonder just why he has retired from the international scene.
Invariably it took two Brumbies defenders to halt his progress and his tackling was typically aggressive and sure. Piri Weepu was another individual to star for the Hurricanes in the second half.
Try scorers for the Hurricanes in the second half were Eaton, Hoea Gear, Jimmy Gopperth and Conrad Smith.