Devan Flanders of the Hurricanes celebrates his try in the Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika match. Photo: Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz
Moana Pasifika's fairytale season has come to an abrupt end at the hands of the Hurricanes.
Needing a bonus-point win to progress to the playoffs for the first time, the task proved too tall for Moana, who fell to a ruthless 'Canes outfit 64-12 on Saturday.
The home side were clinical across the park, running in 10 tries at the 'Caketin' to send Moana Pasifika crashing out of the competition, while keeping the Blues' faint hopes of a title defence alive.
Ardie Savea did not have a happy homecoming in his first return to the region since his move to Moana Pasifika. Despite his best efforts, with several trademark turnovers and a try, Moana barely fired a shot in their final outing of the season.
Things started positively for the visitors, with Solomon Alaimalo plucking an intercept and linking with Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa to score under the sticks.
That would be as good as it got in the first 40 for Moana, who conceded four tries before the break, including two individual stunners.
First, Devan Flanders took a wide ball on the wing and sent an audacious chip over the top, gathering the perfect bounce and strolling over.
Then, just on the break, Peter Umaga-Jensen took a wayward clearing kick on halfway and sliced Moana Pasifika open, shrugging off several would-be tacklers on his way to a brilliant solo try.
The Hurricanes continued to pour on the points after oranges, Umaga-Jensen with another jinking run, powering past two tacklers to bag his brace.
Replacement front rowers Raymond Tuputupu and Pouri Rakete-Stones both barged their way over the chalk to extend the advantage, with Matt Proctor showing his class, as he weaved around the defence to put his side into the 50s.
Former Moana Pasifika halfback Ere Enari sneaked his way over from the base to rub more salt in the wound, while debutant Tjay Clarke closed things out with a 10th Hurricanes try.
See how all the action went down, with RNZ's live blog:
Team lists
Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Jacob Devery, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Zach Gallagher, 5. Hugo Plummer, 6. Devan Flanders, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Brett Cameron, 11. Fatafehi Fineanganofo, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13. Billy Proctor (cc), 14. Bailyn Sullivan, 15. Ruben Love
Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Will Tucker, 20. Brad Shields (cc), 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Jone Rova, 23. Tjay Clarke
Moana Pasifika: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Julian Savea, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Kyren Taumoefolau, 15. Tevita Ofa
Bench: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Allan Craig, 20. Lotu Inisi, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23. Pepesana Patafilo
