Melbourne - Flyhalf Beauden Barrett kicked 20 points as the Hurricanes overwhelmed the Melbourne Rebels in a Super Rugby match on Friday to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Barrett, bidding for a place in the All Blacks squad for June internationals against England, slotted six penalties and converted a second-half try by captain and centre Conrad Smith at Melbourne's AAMI Park stadium.
The Rebels trailed only 12-10 at halftime after an early try to flyhalf Bryce Hegarty but a series of discipline lapses saw them quickly fall 15 points behind after the break.
Rebels centre Tamati Ellison spun over for a try with nine minutes to play, but the Hurricanes quashed the fightback with stout defence to improve to 6-5 for the season. – Reuters