Lions 32 Hurricanes 38
The Hurricanes found a second wind to beat the Lions 38-32 in an end-to-end Super 14 rugby match in Johannesburg this morning (NZ time).
Having squandered a 17-0 lead, the Hurricanes appeared dead and buried when they found themselves trailing midway through the second half against a Lions side with all the momentum.
However, the visitors cast aside the lung-burning effects of altitude to conjure two late tries, to second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu and reserve first five-eighth Willie Ripia, which keeps them firmly in the playoff hunt.
Coming off a 14-19 loss to the Bulls in a stop-start match at Wellington last week, the Hurricanes enjoyed the extra space on offer, scoring five tries to four. A six-from-six goal-kicking return from Piri Weepu, who was a key figure in general play, proved decisive.
A major concern was the sight of prop John Schwalger limping from the field midway through the second half with an apparent knee injury.
Schwalger had been part of a scrum that struggled at times, while the Lions were also more committed at the breakdown for long periods, helping them gain a significant possession and territorial advantage.
However, poor handling often let them down, while the Hurricanes were far more clinical with their limited chances.
Hurricanes captain Rodney So'oialo voiced concern over a poor defensive display from his side with a difficult match against competition-leaders the Sharks looming in Durban next week.
"We're very disappointed because we gave away too many tries and made too many errors. In this competition you can't afford to do that," he told Super Sport television.
"(A highlight) was the fact that the boys didn't give up. We were behind and turned around and scored those crucial two tries."
Two-try hero Conrad Smith agreed the Hurricanes had plenty to work on.
"We got off to a good start but that might have been our undoing, maybe we lapsed a bit. The Lions came right back and it was all on from there," he said.
"They kept breaking our line, which was annoying. We had a good defence coming into this game but that was the one thing that let us down."
It seemed the Hurricanes were in for an easy evening when they weathered a Lions mini-storm and crossed twice through Smith, both from quickfire raids, to be 14-0 up after eight minutes.
A Weepu penalty extended the lead before the Lions finally began to finish their attacking forays, firstly through a try to Springboks centre Jaque Fourie and then two penalties to first five-eighth Andre Pretorius.
In a rare Hurricanes attack, halfback Alby Mathewson scored on the stroke of halftime, lifting his side to a flattering 24-11 lead.
It didn't last long as Fourie grabbed his second try and flanker Todd Clever crossed within 10min of the restart to hand the hosts the lead for the first time.
However, their one-point advantage ended with 11min on the clock as the Hurricanes lifted the tempo, with help from the reserve bench, and Nonu sliced through a tiring defence.
Soon afterwards a Nonu chip was deflected off a Lions defender straight into the hands of Ripia, who scooted 30m to sew up victory.
The Lions had the final say with a long-range try to reserve winger Shandre Frolick which gave them a bonus point.
Hurricanes 38 (Conrad Smith 2, Alby Mathewson, Ma'a Nonu, Willie Ripia tries; Piri Weepu pen, 5 con) Lions 32 (Jaque Fourie 2, Todd Clever, Shandre Frolick tries; Andre Pretorius 2 pen, 3 con). Halftime: 24-11.
- NZPA
