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          Super Rugby Pacific 2017
          SunwolvesSunwolvesSUNWO
          17
          24/02FT
          83
          HurricanesHurricanesHUR
          • Riaan Viljoen(34')
          • Shokei Kin(70')
          • Willie Britz(78')
          • Timothy Lafaele(79')
          • Ardie Savea(6', 11')
          • Vince Aso(8', 57')
          • Ricky Riccitelli(14')
          • TJ Perenara(21')
          • Julian Savea(28')
          • Ngani Laumape(37')
          • Blade Thomson(42')
          • Michael Fatialofa(46', 54')
          • Brad Shields(49')
          • Wes Goosen(59')
          • Otere Black(7', 9', 22', 29', 38', 47', 50', 58', 60')
          • SummarySummary
          • ReportReport
          • CommentaryCommentary
          • Match StatsMatch Stats
          • Player StatsPlayer Stats
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          • TableTable

          Hurricanes break record by smashing Sunwolves

          • AAP
          Multiple Authors
          Feb 25, 2017, 06:27 AM ET
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          The Hurricanes have pulverised the Sunwolves in the opening match of their Super Rugby defence, winning 83-17.

          Last year's champions battered the two-year-old side from pillar to post in their first foray to Japan, running in 13 tries to three.

          It is the Hurricanes' highest-ever points total and the fifth-highest in Super Rugby history.

          The Sunwolves, meanwhile, looked well out of their depth against Kiwi opposition, missing 40 tackles and conceding 16 turnovers.

          Having avoided New Zealand sides in their inaugural Super Rugby campaign, the expansion side will on current evidence endure a painful 2017.

          It took just five minutes for the Hurricanes to get in front, which they did in style through Test openside Ardie Savea.

          Stand-in skipper TJ Perenara took advantage of good work by Jordie Barrett and Julian Savea to place a perfect box chip kick into the path of Ngani Laumape, who offloaded to Ardie to crash over.

          They scored their second two minutes later, as late call-up Vince Aso nailed a chip-and-chase down the right to score.

          A third followed to Ardie after rolling through two Sunwolves tackles, before hooker Ricky Riccitelli finished off a lineout set-play to send his side 24-0 up.

          Intricate play down the left from Matt Proctor, Savea and Barrett then gave Perenara the simplest of five-pointers.

          Savea then scored his first of the campaign after collecting a cross-field kick near his own 22-metre line and making a beeline for the white paint.

          Ardie Savea scores a try during the Hurricanes' big win against the Sunwolves. TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images

          The Sunwolves pegged one back through fullback Riaan Viljoen in the corner but were hit again in the 37th minute when inside centre Laumape coasted over.

          Heading into the break 45-5 ahead, the Hurricanes started where they left off in the second half with loosie Blade Thomson crashing over on the right edge.

          Second-rower Michael Fatialofa went over soon after, before Brad Shields collected one for himself and Fatialofa pinched a second from a maul.

          Another followed for Aso down the right flank, before substitute Wes Goosen picked up an intercept to send the Canes past 80.

          The Sunwolves pinched a pair of consolations in an improved late-game spell through Shokei Kin and Willie Britz but could do little to change the final outcome.

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          Standings

          Super Rugby Pacific
          RTeamGPPDP
          1HUR14+26455
          2CHI14+19051
          3CRU14+10041
          4BLU14+4438
          5QUE14-2237
          6ACT14+2934
          7WES14-2530
          8NSW14-4928
          9HIG14-9724
          10FIJ14-14321
          11MOA14-2919
          Full Table