Miami (FL) Hurricanes

Hurricanes beat Waratahs 38-28 in Super Rugby

Published Apr. 7, 2017 5:54 a.m. ET

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Brothers Beauden and Jordie Barrett combined for two tries, 18 points, two yellow cards and a red card as the Hurricanes held on to a diminishing lead to beat the New South Wales Waratahs 38-28 in Super Rugby on Friday.

The brothers scored tries in the first half and Jordie added four conversions as the Hurricanes opened a 33-7 halftime lead over a Waratahs side that looked listless and directionless.

But the Waratahs rallied to outscore the Hurricanes 21-5 in the second half as Beauden received a yellow card in each spell which translated into a red card in the 79th minute.

The Hurricanes made an explosive beginning, scoring tries through center Ngani Leaumape, and the Barretts to lead 21-0 after only 11 minutes. The Waratahs fueled the Hurricanes' counterattacking game with poor kicking and missed first tackles, and the match seemed likely to become a rout.

But Beauden's yellow card for a professional foul in the 17th sparked the Waratahs to score through Ned Hannigan.

Tries to winger Wes Goosen and lock Mark Abbott boosted the Hurricanes' lead to 33-7 at halftime as they controlled set-pieces and used long passes to pick gaps in the defense.

The Waratahs made a strong start to the second half with tries to fullback Bryce Hegarty and scrumhalf Jake Gordon which slashed the margin to 33-21 after 47 minutes.

Leaumape's second try made the lead 38-21 but the Waratahs continued to improve, and a try to Andrew Kelaway in the 70th cut the lead to 10 points. The Waratahs ended the match over the Hurricanes line, denied a try which would have given them a bonus point.

Beauden earned his second yellow card, which became a red card, for a tackle in the 79th, which could have yielded a penalty try.

''When we scored that many points in the first half we've got to come out after halftime and be a bit more clinical,'' Hurricanes captain TJ Perenara said.

Waratahs captain Michael Hooper regretted another poor start which his team was unable to overcome.

''Our fights can't be questioned this year,'' Hooper said. ''We've won the last 40 minutes in most games, barring last week. But the first 20 is an issue for us and it's really frustrating.''