Hurricanes U20s come from behind to beat Highlanders U20s

In a thrilling encounter at Owen Delany Park in Taupo this afternoon, the Hurricanes U20s defeated the Highlanders U20s 36-26 to book their place in the final against the Blues U20s this coming Saturday.

The Hurricanes team was:

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It was a tough start for the Hurricanes as the Highlanders raced to a 14-0 lead within the first 10 minutes, thanks to a try from their centre intercepting a pass from Hurricanes’ first five Harry Godfrey, followed by a second try from a well-executed driving maul from a lineout. The Hurricanes had some good individual moments, but the Highlanders were playing better as a team at this stage.

However, the Hurricanes began to fight their way back into the game with a fine try from flanker Dominic Ropeti after a sustained period of pressure. The Hurricanes were playing with a strong wind in the first half, and both hookers struggled to find their markers in the lineouts.

The Hurricanes continued to build momentum, and after earning a penalty in front of the posts, they set up a great scrum and Harry Godfrey sliced through to score, leveling the score at 14-14 after 25 minutes.

The Hurricanes then took the lead for the first time in the match with a fine try from centre Jack O’Brien, followed by another try from left wing Epeli Waqaicece who showed great strength to drag two defenders over the line from five metres out, after a brilliant long cut-out pass from Godfrey.

The Highlanders refused to lie down, however, and scored a try from a rolling maul from a lineout to reduce the deficit to 26-19 at halftime. They then scored a good team try within a minute of the restart of the second half to lock the scores up at 26-26.

Now playing into the wind, the Hurricanes absorbed a sustained period of pressure from the Highlanders in their own 22, and eventually worked their way back upfield and earnt a penalty out in front of the sticks, which was converted buy replacement first five Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula to give them a 36-26 lead with 68 minutes to play.

Despite some late pressure from the Highlanders, the Hurricanes held on for a hard-fought victory. For the Hurricanes, lock Hunter Morrison was a standout, closely followed by Dominic Ropeti, Epeli Waqaicece, Meni Manase, prop Siale Lauaki, and No. 8 Toby Crosby. The Highlanders were also very good, and Vernon Bason impressed in the second half.

The Hurricanes will face the Blues U20s in the final on Saturday in what promises to be an exciting and fiercely contested match.