Another week, another win.
The Hurricanes Development team continued a successful 2017 season for the club's high performance programme with a 36-24 win over the Crusaders Knights in Levin on Saturday.
Two tries to hooker Asafo Aumua and one each to loose forward Toa Halafihi, wing Malo Tuitama and centre Jonah Lowe capped off a come from behind win for the Darren Larsen coached squad.
"We were 19-0 behind after 15 minutes, so it was really pleasing to see the adjustments they guys made and the effort was really pleasing," Larsen said. "I don't want to single anyone out because it was a collective team effort."
Aumua, the Wellington hooker, sparked the come back when he scored a brilliant individual try shortly after coming on to the field before halftime to close the scores to 19-10 at the break.
CAPTION: Hurricanes Development hooker Asafo Aumua dives over for one of his two tries against the Crusaders Knights in Levin. PHOTO: Dragonfly Art & Photography
Second half tries to Tuitama, Aumua and Lowe, combined with the boots of first five Tiaan Falcon and Manawatu back Ben Wyness saw the home side pull clear to the delight of the local crowd.
The win was the latest four wins for the Hurricanes development and age grade teams this season.
The Development team had previously beaten a New Zealand Under 20s trial squad and the Argentine Under 20s, while the Hurricanes Under 20s beat the Blues Under 20s in Wellington last month.
CAPTION: Midfielder Pita Ahki looks to offload during the Hurricanes Development team's match against the Crusaders Knights in Levin. PHOTO: Dragonfly Art & Photography
"Results aside and whether it's a Development team or the Under 20s, the key thing is we have had 15 Hurricanes contracted players on the field getting valuable game time," Larsen said. "Our Interim Training Contract players have gained experience and we've given our provincial union players exposure to the next level too."
Twenty provincial union players have been involved across the Hurricanes Development and Under 20s four matches to date.
The Hurricanes Development team will close out the high performance programme against the Blues A team at Eden Park on Saturday as a curtain raiser to the Blues Investec Super Rugby match against the Western Force.
The Hurricanes strong youth programme has been further highlighted by the selection of ten players in the New Zealand Under 20s squad named for the Oceania Under 20s tournament in Australia next month - Asafo Aumua, Tim Farrell, Alex Fidow, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Jordie Barrett (vc), Tiaan Falcon, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Carlos Price.
Scorers:
Hurricanes Development 36 (Asafo Aumua 2, Toa Halafihi, Malo Tuitama, Jonah Lowe tries, Tiaan Falcon 2 con, pen, Ben Wyness 2 con) Crusaders Knights 24. HT: 19-0 (Knights).