Two tries to St Patrick's College openside Josh Southall have propelled the Hurricanes Under-18s to a 25-10 win over the Crusaders Junior Knights at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

Southall scored both of his tries in the second half as the Hurricanes U18s fought back from 10-8 behind at halftime to win comfortably in the curtain raiser to the Investec Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and Crusaders.

The Hurricanes U18s other try was scored by Petone's prop Kaliopasi Uluilakepa who crashed over about 20 minutes after his side had performed a spirited pre-match haka.

Hastings Boys' High School fullback Danny Toala opened the scoring with his first penalty of the night, but it was the visitors who scored the first try when wing Leicester Faingaanuku raced away on the outside to give his side a 7-3 lead after the first quarter.

Uluilakepa's try put the Hurricanes U18s ahead 8-7, but the Knights headed into halftime with the lead via a penalty to first five Fergus Burke after 28 minutes.

The Darren Larsen coached Hurricanes team had looked dangerous in the first half without much to show for their efforts and the first spell finished with Hastings Boys' High School wing Dennon Robinson being bundled into touch just short after an impressive break out.

Southall got his first shortly after the resumption to put his side ahead 15-10 with Toala's conversion and second penalty extending the lead to 18-10.

Southall sealed the win when he burst from a ruck on the 22 and stormed through for a try that ended the Knights hopes.

Southall's battle with opposite Glen Beardsley was a highlight in a match that hinted at bright futures for the two No.7s.

Scorers:

Hurricanes U18s 25 (Josh Southall 2, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa tries, Danny Toala 2 con, 2 pen) Junior Knights 10 (Leicester Faingaanuku try, Fergus Burke con, pen). HT: 10-8 (Knights)