The Hurricanes claimed a fairly forgettable 25-10 win over the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday.
With a total of 157 points coming in the teams' two previous meetings, there were high hopes of an entertaining affair, but what transpired was a scrappy match that flattered to deceive.
Beauden Barrett was the star of the show for the Canes, claiming 20 points as well as setting up their solitary try with a delightful cross-field kick.
The Rebels were left to rue their poor discipline, where their constant infringments at the breakdown cost them dearly.
They managed to outscore the Hurricanes in the tries department, with Bryce Hegarty and Canes' old-boy Tamati Ellison grabbing one each. But it was another case of so near yet so far for the Rebels as they fell just short, as they had done a week earlier against the Sharks.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes will return to New Zealand following a successful Australian tour in a position to push on for a play-off spot.
Rebels – Tries: Bryce Hegarty, Tamati Ellison. Conversion: Jason Woodward. Penalty: Woodward.
Hurricanes – Try: Conrad Smith. Conversion: Beauden Barrett. Penalties: Barrett (6).
Rebels – 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Male Sau, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Tom English, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Scott Higginbotham (c), 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Colby Fainga'a, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Cruze Ah-Nau.
Subs: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Max Lahiff, 18 Paul Alo-Emilie, 19 Hugh Pyle, 20 Sean McMahon, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Tom Kingston, 23 Angus Roberts.
Hurricanes – 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Alapati Leiua, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Reggie Goodes.
Subs: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Blade Thomson, 20 Jack Lam, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Tim Bateman, 23 Matt Proctor.
Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
