Hurricanes hammer Highlanders, Speight stars in derby win

Ngani Laumape and Vince Aso scored two tries apiece as Hurricanes hammered Highlanders 41-15 in Super Rugby, while Henry Speight also claimed a double in Brumbies’ 28-12 derby win at Waratahs.

Hurricanes suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Chiefs last week, but the champions responded with a seven-try demolition job in a repeat of the 2015 final at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

Ardie Savea barged over for the opening try when Highlanders were unable to stop a maul, but Matt Faddes took an inside pass from Aaron Smith to go over and put Tony Brown’s men in front, only for Laumape’s first score to give the Canes a 10-8 lead at the break.

Jordie Barrett laid on a try for Matt Proctor just after the interval and Laumape added his second following an Elliot Dixon five-pointer with TJ Perenara in the bin.

Great crowd tonight and good performance from the team. Seven tries and some vital competition points #canes2017 pic.twitter.com/5RbF0uc5DZ

— Hurricanes Rugby (@Hurricanesrugby) March 18, 2017

There was no stopping Hurricanes, who ran away with it as Julian Savea went over before Aso helped himself to a brace in a resounding bonus-point success, leaving Highlanders with just one win to their name from four matches.

Brumbies made it two wins out of two after a commanding second half consigned Waratahs, still missing Bernard Foley due to concussion, to defeat at Allianz Stadium, securing victory in the inaugural Dan Vickerman Cup.

Australia wing Speight scored a superb solo try after the rivals were locked at 7-7 at the break and picked a hole to add another, with Tevita Kuridrani and Robbie Abel also scoring.

FULLTIME | The Brumbies take their third straight win against the @NSWWaratahs, defeating them 28-12 at Allianz Stadium. #WARvBRU pic.twitter.com/jUCXSHgV4s

— Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) March 18, 2017