Aso & Barrett excel in Hurricanes' comeback win

Vince Aso's hat-trick propelled reigning Super Rugby champions Hurricanes from behind to thump Brumbies 56-21, but Beauden Barrett was undoubtedly the star of the show.

Hurricanes trailed by seven points at half-time but a double from Aso turned the match on its head and led them to an emphatic bonus-point win, with Barrett's pinpoint kicking pulling the Brumbies defence apart.

Aso's first came following a sensational run from the halfway line, with Cory Jane claiming a cross-kick from the exceptional Barrett to touch down their second.

Brumbies fought back and Tevita Kuridrani finished a neat move off a line-out before captain Sam Carter powered over to level.

The Australian franchise took the lead with a contender for try of the season in the 30th minute when a superb attack through the heart of Hurricanes' defence passed through a host of hands before Joe Powell crossed.

The sin-binning of Wharenui Hawera for cynical play at the breakdown was exploited by Hurricanes, Barrett proving key to a pair of Aso tries – taking his tally for the season to 10 – that sent them into the lead.

There was no looking back from there for Chris Boyd's side, who saw Callum Gibbins touch down either side of a Mark Abbott try to complete the rout – another sublime kick from Barrett setting up the final score.

Waratahs let a 17-point lead slip at home against Southern Kings, who rallied in the second half to complete a 26-24 victory for just their second win of the season.

Taqele Naiyaravoro, Rob Horne and Cameron Clark all crossed – the latter despite Ned Hanigan being yellow carded – as Waratahs raced clear, but Lionel Cronje converted Justin Forwood's try to close the gap before half-time.

Masixole Banda finished of a brilliant move and the Kings, who kept the hosts out while Chris Cloete was in the sin bin, went ahead when Cronje added the extras to Michael Willemse's score.

A penalty try put the game out of Waratahs' reach, with Naiyaravoro's late effort coming after the 80 minutes had passed and proving too little, too late.