Hurricanes slump to first Super 12 loss in 2005

The Bulls secured their first Super 12 rugby win of the season downing the Hurricanes 21-12 here at Westpac Stadium today.

Committed defence from the South Africans prevented a late rally by the hosts as the Hurricanes crashed to their first defeat in 2005 in the fourth round match.

Both sides scored two tries apiece in the second half after a lack-lustre tryless opening 40 minutes, but it was a momentary piece of madness from Hurricanes first five-eighth Jimmy Gopperth which saw the Bulls seal the game with 15 minutes remaining.

Gopperth attempted to run the ball out deep within their dead ball zone, but was crunched under the posts and stripped of possession which saw second five-eighth Etienne Botha dot down.

A conversion from replacement first five-eighth Kennedy Tsimba gave the visitors a 21-5 lead.

Hurricanes prop Joe McDonnell barrelled over a try in quick response, but the charge was too late for a tiring side who returned from Johannesburg earlier this week.

Coming into the break 9-0 ahead, the Bulls scored the first try of the match in the 55th minute through winger Akona Ndungane after halfback Fourie De Preez pinched the ball from the base of the Hurricanes ruck.

Winger Hosea Gear quickly replied for the Hurricanes when Ma'a Nonu took a quick penalty tap in the Bulls 22, drew three players, then flicked the ball to Gear who scored in the corner.

Down 5-14, the Hurricanes were in the game before Gopperth's rush of blood to the head.

Hurricanes skipper Tana Umaga said the Bulls' urgency and desperation proved the difference between the sides.

"I think that was the key to it. They wanted it more than us and they stuck to their game plan. I'm just glad (the loss) came in the fourth week and not the eleventh.

"It's not all doom and gloom for us... but it is disappointing in our first game home and to not do it for our fans again, but hopefully we'll be there at the end."

The Hurricanes had one of their best passages of the game in the opening 10 minutes, stringing together numerous phases, but as with the Bulls, handling errors killed most try scoring chances.

Their best try-scoring opportunity came in the opening minutes when No 8 Rodney So'oialo found himself in space out wide but was bundled over the sideline near the corner flag by Bulls second five-eighth Botha.

B ulls first five-eighth Derick Hougarrd, who left the field injured in the second half, finally broke the scoreless deadlock with a wobbly long-range drop goal in the 23rd minute.

Another Hougarrd penalty five minutes before the break gave the Bulls a deserved 9-0 lead after a stale first half.

So'oialo caused a scare for the Hurricanes when he limped off the field early in the second half with an ankle injury.

Bulls 21 (Akona Ndungane, Etienne Botha tries; Derick Hougaard 2 pen, drop goal, Kennedy Tsimba con)

Hurricanes 12 (Hosea Gear, Joe McDonnell tries; Jimmy Gopperth con).

Halftime: 9-0.

- NZPA