Sport World sport
Auckland Blues' new signing Stephen Brett was the first half hero and second half villain as the Wellington Hurricanes opened the 2010 Super 14 season with a come-from-behind 34-20 victory.
The former Canterbury Crusaders fly-half scored one try and made another as the Blues racked up a comfortable 20-12 lead by half time, with the sharp backline getting the better of their All Black-studded opponents.
But fortunes changed at North Harbour Stadium in the second spell after an intercepted Brett pass gave the Hurricanes their only try and put them in the lead for the first time.
"The turning point of the game was that intercept. It really put us back on our heels," a rueful Blues captain Keven Mealamu said afterwards.
The Blues appeared to be heading for a comfortable victory at the break, when the score flattered the Hurricanes, but they fell apart in the second spell as the visitors scored 22 unanswered points.
"Obviously we were a bit nervous after the first half, but we came back out and got our act together and came out in the second half and put a pretty good performance together," Hurricanes captain Andrew Hore said.
Flyhalf Willie Ripia and halfback Piri Weepu slotted nine penalties between them during the match to add to the single try. Australian referee Stu Dickinson was extra vigilant on offences at the breakdown, blowing 13 penalties in the first spell alone and breaking the continuity of an otherwise free-flowing match.
