New recruit Josh Moorby marked a dream return to Wellington with a hat-trick as the Hurricanes opened their Super Rugby campaign in emphatic fashion, crushing Moana Pasifika 52–10 on Friday night.
Back home after a stint in France’s Top 14 with Montpellier, Moorby was electric, forming a devastating wing partnership with Fehi Fineanganofo. The pair tore Moana Pasifika apart, each crossing for first-half doubles as the hosts seized control.
Moana Pasifika showed early ambition, catching the Hurricanes napping when Tuna Tuitama split the defence with a clever chip and chase. But that moment proved a false dawn.
Once the Hurricanes found their rhythm, the game tilted sharply. Fineanganofo struck first, finishing a slick backline move before adding his second in the 24th minute after a dominant spell that featured four line breaks and more than 100 running metres.
Moorby soon joined the party, finishing acrobatically in the corner before being gifted his second when flanker Peter Lakai sent him clear. The returning Māori All Black completed his hat-trick shortly after halftime, sprinting under the posts to extend the lead to 31–5.
Moana Pasifika threatened briefly when Faletoi Peni lunged for the line, only to lose control inches short. Moorby nearly added a fourth on his return from France, but the TMO ruled a knock-on in the grounding.
The Hurricanes’ momentum never dipped. Brayden Iose powered over from close range, Patrick Pellegrini grabbed a late consolation for the visitors, and Iose struck again after a damaging carry, finished off by a slick offload from Japanese skipper Warner Dearns.
Replacement and All Black Billy Proctor rounded out the scoring as the clock wound down, sealing a dominant opening-night statement. The Hurricanes now head to Lautoka to face the Fijian Drua.
The only blemish on an otherwise perfect night was the loss of Brett Cameron, who was stretchered off midway through the first half with a potentially serious injury. With Ruben Love still sidelined for at least another month, the Hurricanes’ fly-half depth will now be tested early in the season.
Hurricanes 52 (Tries: Moorby 3, Fineanganofo 2, Iose 2, Proctor; Cons: Barrett 5, Cameron) def Moana Pasifika 10 (Tries: Pellegrini, Tuitama)
Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Jordie Barrett (captain), 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 10 Brett Cameron, 9 Ereatara Enari, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Warner Dearns, 4 Hugo Plummer, 3 Siale Lauaki, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Xavier Numia
Replacements: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Matolu Petaia, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Arese Poliko, 22 Cam Roigard, 23 Billy Proctor
Moana Pasifika: 15 Simon Peter Toleafoa, 14 Israel Leota, 13 Glen Vaihu, 12 Faletoi Peni, 11 Tuna Tuitama, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Siaosi Nginingini, 8 Dominic Ropeti, 7 Konrad Toelafoa, 6 Semisi Paea, 5 Alefosio Aho, 4 Veikoso Poloniati, 3 Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 2 Samiuela Moli (captain), 1 Abraham Pole
Replacements: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Tito Tuipulotu, 18 Lolani Faleiva, 19 Allan Craig, 20 Miracle Faiilagi, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 William Havili, 23 Tevita Ofa
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Graham Cooper
English