Perenara equals Super Rugby try
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Former All Blacks scrumhalf T.J. Perenara scored two tries to equal the tournament’s all-time try-scoring record as the Wellington-based Hurricanes beat the Hamilton-based Chiefs 36-23 on Saturday to stay unbeaten through eight rounds of Super Rugby Pacific.
Peranara scored in the 17th minute as the Hurricanes used an overwhelming scrum advantage early to build a 17-7 lead and again in the 58th minute, after the Chiefs had rallied to go ahead 23-17.
In a late match at Melbourne, Australia, the host Rebels beat the Dunedin, New Zealand-based Highlanders 47-31. It was the Rebels’ fifth win in eight matches this season and the first time the team has won three consecutive matches since August 2020.
Conceding penalties and turning over possession with bad passes, the Hurricanes helped the Chiefs back into the match. They scored a try through scrumhalf Cortez Ratima and then closed the gap on the Hurricanes with penalties to Damian McKenzie, even with winger Emoni Narawa in the sin-bin.