Super 14

The Hurricanes were made to work much harder than expected for their win against a willing Lions team, recording a bonus-point 33-18 victory in Wellington on Saturday.

The win ensures the Hurricanes maintain their unbeaten run at the start of the season and will go to the top of the standings - for at least a couple of hours, until the Bulls play later in the day.

More to follow...

The scorers:

For the Hurricanes:
Tries: Paterson, Weepu, Hore, Smith
Cons: Ripia 2
Pens: Ripia 3

For the Lions:
Tries: Minnie, Clever
Con: Rose
Pens: Rose 2

Yellow card: Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes, 54 - repeated infringements, offside)

Teams:

Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Michael Paterson, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (captain), 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Nick Crosswell, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Andre Taylor

Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derrick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 George Earle, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Jacques Lombaard, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Walter Venter, 22 Michael Killian.

Referee: Paul Marks (Australia)
Assistant referees: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Matthew Stanish (New Zealand)
TMO: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)