Rugby: Record-breaking Hurricanes blitz Rebels

Julian Savea of the Hurricanes scores a try during the round 14 Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Melbourne Rebels at Westpac Stadium. Photo / Getty Images.

Hurricanes 66
Rebels 24

Julian Savea scored a hat trick of tries to cap a record-setting performance from the Hurricanes tonight who blitzed the Rebels 66-24 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

The Hurricanes were searching for a killer instinct that was missing during their 37-25 loss to the Brumbies last Friday - and boy did they find it - producing a fantastic display of running rugby where they scored nine tries.

It was the most points the Hurricanes have ever scored in a match and came at just the right time for coach Mark Hammet who spent all week dismissing any talk of playoffs. He knows better than anyone that tonight's bonus point win keeps them in the race.

The Hurricanes scored five tries in 30 minutes to effectively kill the game off at halftime in easily their best performance of the season.

Perenara once again impressed - and was at the heart of everything good for the Hurricanes - with his abrasive style, slick passing and snappy running game tormenting the Rebels defence all night.

Savea, Andre Taylor and Alapati Leiua also had standout games with strong running, support play and ball handling combining to make a mockery of the Rebels defence who easily dealt with the Crusaders and Force in recent weeks.

Cooper Vuna scored an explosive try for the Rebels in the eighth minute to open the scoring - driving past four Hurricanes defenders to touch down for his fourth of the season.

Beauden Barrett and Kurtley Beale then traded penalties before Taylor scored his league leading ninth of the season - and the best of the match - for the Hurricanes.

Perenara slipped a tackle before using his speed to break clear out wide, releasing a no-look back-flick pass to Tim Bateman who caught magnificently before quickly off-loading to Taylor who caught a very tricky low ball before touching down.

Leiua increased the Hurricanes lead to seven points soon after when he was first to get to a clever Batemen kick and juggled the ball over the line before touching down.

Savea then added two tries in six minutes to earn the Hurricanes a bonus point before the Rebels had caught their breath.

Vuna picked up his second of the night for the Rebels - running in an interception under the posts that Beale easily converted.

In the second half Jack Lam picked up right where the Hurricanes left off , driving over from close range to put the result out of doubt.

Leius then picked up his second before Savea completed his hattrick, benefitting from some strong Hurricanes running and clever offloading.

Taylor then scored his second of the match before Chris Eaton capped the scoring for the Highlanders in the 69th minute. Adam Freier scored a late consolation try for the Rebels with the last play of the game.

It was the seventh win of the season for the Hurricanes who next face the Warratahs before a three week international break.

They will need another strong performance because their run in features both the Crusaders and Chiefs in the final two rounds.

Hurricanes 66 (Julian Savea 3, Alapati Leiua 2, Andre Taylor 2, Jack Lam, Chris Eaton tries, Beauden Barrett 9 con, pen)

Rebels 24 (Cooper Vuna 2, Adam Freier tries, Kurtley Beale 2 cons, pen, Richard Kingi con).

HT: 38-17 - Hurricanes