Barrett sees Hurricanes home in New Zealand derby thriller

Jordie Barrett held his nerve to give the Hurricanes a thrilling last-gasp 27-24 win over the Chiefs in Super Rugby.

The New Zealand rivals were all square when the hooter sounded in Hamilton, almost a year on from their 23-23 draw on the same ground.

But after a mammoth 35-phase effort, Chiefs number eight Pita Gus Sowakula made a late hit on Alex Fidow, leaving the nerveless Barrett to send an unerring and decisive penalty through the posts from 40 metres.

It meant back-to-back defeats for the hosts, who led 24-14 with a man advantage after TJ Perenara was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Solomon Alaimalo and Shaun Stevenson crossed.

The Hurricanes would not be denied, however with Asafo Aumua barrelling over from close range in the 71st minute for Barrett – who booted 12 points overall – to level the scores with a conversion.

 WHAT A FINISH!!! @Hurricanesrugby steal it at the death through the boot of Jordie Barrett in Hamilton.#CHIvHUR #RugbyRecoded pic.twitter.com/lD9PmNRDRx

— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) March 13, 2020

Ben Lam opened the scoring for the Hurricanes in the ninth minute, when Perenara and Barrett combined for him to finish in the left corner.

Lachlan Boshier scrambled over the line in the 22nd minute, putting the Chiefs in front before Fletcher Smith responded to make it 14-10 to the Hurricanes at the interval.

Tumua Manu’s 54th-minute try and Damian McKenzie’s third of four successful attempts from the tee edged the Hurricanes ahead once more.

Perenara’s yellow card and Stevenson’s try swiftly followed, although the Hurricanes were unperturbed by what briefly looked to be a hopeless situation.

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