Super Rugby is reaching the most interesting part of the season as we are already in the second-half of the competition. Last weekend, it was Round 10 and there were things to say and particularly about the Kiwi franchises with the British & Irish Lions coming.
First of all, the Crusaders remain the only unbeaten Super Rugby franchise in 2017 following their great win in a spectacular game against the Cheetahs. Also, the Highlanders delivered their best performance of the season in 2017 against the Stormers.
The Chiefs and the Auckland Blues won as well but their respective performances were unconvincing. The Waikato franchise did not get a bonus point against the Sunwolves while Blues had a bonus point win against the Brumbies but they have to improve.
Besides, there were other great games with the New South Wales Waratahs winning in Brisbane against the Reds. The Lions had to work hard in Perth to beat a quality Western Force side. It showed that the Western Force deserves their place in the competition.
Defending Champions, the Hurricanes, had their second bye weekend as they were returning to the competition. All the franchise was ready for a big contest against the Stormers who remain a quality side even if their last performances were not good.
With the Super Rugby 2017 reaching his second-half, the Kiwi franchises are leading the standards with the Springboks franchise doing well, too. That is a bit more complicated for the Wallabies franchises but the Waratahs and the Reds proved that there is hope.
Background Information :
The Hurricanes : Finding the momentum again
The defending Champions are doing pretty well so far in the competition with 7 wins in 8 games. The Hurricanes have rotated their squad in the last few games to give the maximum of players an opportunity. It is part of the franchise’s policy in Super Rugby.
Obviously, the Hurricanes knew that the challenge was finding that momentum again and quickly. Earlier in the season, when they came back from their first bye weekend, they were facing the Reds. That was not an easy game in Brisbane for the Hurricanes.
Hosting the Stormers, the Hurricanes wanted to put a big performance because it will be one of their last home games before away fixtures. There will be games against Crusaders and overseas sides so the Hurricanes knew how important the game was.
The Stormers : Making amends
To be honest, in the first-half of the season, the Stormers were one of the favourites franchises to be crowned Super Rugby Champions. They started really strongly at home with several bonus point wins to put them at the top of their South-African conference.
Moreover, there was that outstanding win against the Chiefs in Newlands, Cape Town. The Stormers were looking comfortable but the momentum shifted. Following a home loss to the Lions, they conceded two more defeats in disappointing contests for them.
These two defeats came against New Zealand franchises, the Crusaders and also the Highlanders, in Christchurch and Dunedin, respectively. That is why the Stormers wanted to make amends against the Hurricanes to show how strong their potential is.
The Players To Watch :
The Hurricanes : Jefferey Toomanga-Allen, TJ Perenara, Vince Aso
Jefferey Toomanga-Allen : The Hurricanes prop is performing well and his scrummaging is a big advantage. Showing an incredible consistency, Jefferey Toomanga-Allen has got pace and great accuracy. He is a great ball-carrier, winning some significant metres.
TJ Perenara : Switching the momentum of the game two weeks ago, TJ Perenara is instrumental to this Hurricanes team. He is reading the game outstandingly well and his kicking game is wonderful. TJ Perenara is also making some huge tackles in defence.
Vince Aso : Leading try-scorer of the Super Rugby competition, Vince Aso is in a great form. Versatile player, he can play either at centre or at wing, always involved in the attack. Vince Aso is a running threat on the pitch and his moves are unpredictable.
The Stormers : Siya Kolisi, Nizaam Carr, SP Marais
Siya Kolisi : The Stormers skipper, Siya Kolisi, is a powerful back-rower, who is scrummaging really well. He has got that ability to win the breakdown battle and his ball-carrying abilities allow him to gain so many metres for the Stormers franchise.
Nizaam Carr : Running threat and powerful carrier, Nizaam Carr is adding so much physicality to the Stormers back-row. His role at the lineout remains key for the Springboks franchise. Nizaam Carr is also a player who competes all around the field.
SP Marais : Playing fullback, SP Marais is an experienced Super Rugby player. The statistics are in his favour in 2017. SP Marais is a running threat in the Stormers back-three and he is also involved in all the attacking build-ups started by his teammates.
Team News : Chris Boyd finding his starting XV
The Hurricanes players enjoyed a weekend of holidays during their bye weekend following their win against the Brumbies. At the start of this week, it was business as usual in the training camp with the coaching staff focusing the players on the big task.
In fairness, that week could have been better for the Hurricanes if their teammate James Broadhurst had not announced his retirement. Unable to recover from a concussion that he sustained in 2015, the All Blacks lock decided to retire after a distinguished career.
Among that big disappointment, the Hurricanes players worked hard to be ready because the Stormers were always going to be physical. Chris Boyd, the Hurricanes coach, confirmed the starting XV to face Stormers in a press conference, on Wednesday.
First of all, the Hurricanes player Ricky Riccitelli started in the hooker position. Ben May and Jefferey Toomanga-Allen were the two props who started as well. In the second-row, it was an interesting partnership with Michael Fatialofa and Mark Abbott combining.
In the back-row, the flankers positions were filled by Brad Shields and Callum Gibbins with Ardie Savea taking the number 8 jersey, once again. The half-backs pairing needed no introduction with scrum-half TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett leading the backline.
The centres were occupied by Ngani Laumape and Vince Aso, both impressive on the field. In the back-three, Julian Savea and Cory Jane were named as the two wingers. Finally, the fullback position was filled by Jordie Barrett, outstanding in the last games.
On the bench, Leni Apisai, along with Chris Eves and Mike Kainga, were the front-rowers. James Blackwell was covering the second-row with Reed Prinsep, reserve back-rower. Te Toira Tahuriorangi, Otere Black and Ben Lam also started on the bench.
Game Summary : Close contest in Wellington
The game between the Hurricanes and the Stormers was played at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, with fine weather conditions. The contest was referred by Glen Jackson who also took charge of the last Super Rugby final. It was in this same stadium in the city.
With a strong start, the Stormers managed to score the first points thanks to their fly-half Robert du Preez who kicked a penalty. The Hurricanes re-gathered the ball quickly and were targeting their usual expansive game and they just found that in the first quarter.
First of all, playmaker Beauden Barrett made a cross-field kick on the right wing. The ball was taken by Cory Jane who touched down. At the 12th minute, from the back of a scrum, TJ Perenara made a grubber kick which was first gathered by Nizaam Carr.
However, there was a TMO call as Jordie Barrett claimed that he had ripped the ball from the Stormers back-rower before dotting down. The TMO had the same analysis of the situation and the try was awarded by referee Glen Jackson to Beauden Barrett’s Brother.
The Hurricanes kept pushing and the Stormers lost the discipline. Hooker Mbongi Mbonambi was yellow-carded with Beauden Barrett making another cross-field kick. It was gathered by Julian Savea who made the pass to Jordie Barrett on the left wing.
Jordie Barrett unleashed a behind-the-back offload which was taken by Julian Savea who was on the scoreboard. The Hurricanes were comfortable with 25 minutes played but the Stormers came back with a good set-piece try scored by the forward Ramone Samuels.
Moreover, the end of the first-half was played at a high-tempo. With several minutes remaining, Beauden Barrett attempted his third cross-field kick of the night. It was his second assist of the game when the ball was claimed by Jordie Barrett, scoring a double.
Just before Half-Time in Wellington, the Stormers used their momentum to put the defending Champions under pressure. Robert du Preez having left the field, fullback SP Marais stepped up and kicked two late penalties for the Stormers (Half-Time : 22-16).
The Stormers started the second-half on the same strategy and they were rewarded with two more penalties. The scores were tied as the Hurricanes were unable to score another try. The Stormers were settled in defence and the defending Champions were frustrated.
In the last quarter, the game was decided with the Hurricanes building phases after phases. Centre Ngani Laumape eventually scored the 5th Hurricanes try after picking the ball behind a ruck. Nevertheless, there was more work to do for Chris Boyd’s players.
Flanker Brad Shield was sent to the sin-bin for repeated infringements. The Hurricanes were hanging on and claiming the ball back, Beauden Barrett went for a cross-field kick. Julian Savea raced on the left wing before offloading to Ngani Laumape for his double.
There was more to come from the Hurricanes players after this mighty 95-metre effort as Beauden Barrett definitely secured the bonus point win. Rushing back in the Stormers’ 22-metre line, the All Blacks first-five eighth found the space to score a deserved try.
It was game over in Wellington and the Hurricanes had the bonus point win (Full-Time : 41-22). Definitely, the Stormers deserve some credit for pushing the Hurricanes. The defending Champions know that they need to improve against Crusaders next weekend.
The Barrett Review : The Cross-Field Kick Master
– Kicks : N/A – It seems that fullback Jordie Barrett taking the goalkicking duties rather than Beauden Barrett is a tactical choice. With Jordie Barrett not having known a good day (3/7), Beauden Barrett coming back to the goalkicking duties is a real possibility.
– General Play : The cross-field kick is just starting to become Beauden Barrett’s greatest weapon. Thanks to these kicks, he made two assists and two more tries were scored with these kicks in the build-up. Beauden Barrett also scored a deserved try in that game.
Conclusion : That was a great performance from Beauden Barrett who has now scored his 4th try in the season. His game management remains astonishing and he is not afraid to take risks in his 22 metres. He has got a big game against the Crusaders next weekend.
Another fine game, Beaudy ! Enjoy the win !
Max.
Rugby, Only Rugby ! 