Last weekend, the Hurricanes got back to winning ways with a bonus point win at home against the Blues. This win was much-needed for the Wellington-based franchise given that they had lost 3 successive games. They were up for last game of the regular season.
The Hurricanes were facing a trip to Hamilton to face the Chiefs. They had not secured the second place in the New Zealand conference yet. They were going to face each other again in Quarter-Finals but home advantage was going to be key so the win was defining.
I- Team Informations : Confidence is Back
The win against the Blues last weekend was very important for all the franchise. The Hurricanes knew that they were going to face the Chiefs twice in two weekends. Therefore, the Hurricanes coaching staff wanted to use this first game as a rehearsal.
The Hurricanes had to generate some momentum before the play-offs. If they were going to win the Super Rugby 2018, they would probably face the Semi-Finals and the Final away from home. However, that first game was going to be a bit tricky for some reasons.
II- The Players : Rotation Policy
Given that the Chiefs would have to win with the bonus point and 23 points to finish second in the New Zealand conference, the task was huge. Therefore, Colin Cooper, the Chiefs coach, was opting to rest key players such as Sam Cane and Damian McKenzie.
Meanwhile, Chris Boyd decided to make a few changes which were part of their rotation policy. For example, Ben Lam came back on the wing with Julian Savea on the bench. Also, Finlay Christie was given the call as the scrum-half cover rather than Jamie Booth.
III- The Hurricanes line-up : Strong Back-Row Options
(15-1) Jordie Barrett – Nehe Milner-Skudder – Wes Goosen – Ngani Laumape – Ben Lam – Beauden Barrett – TJ Perenara – Blade Thompson – Sam Henwood – Brad Shields – Michael Fatialofa – Sam Lousi – Jefferey To’omanga-Allen – Ricky Riccitelli – Toby Smith
(16-23) James O’Reilly – Chris Eves – Ben May – Gareth Evans – Reed Prinsep – Finlay Christie – Ihaia West – Julian Savea
IV – Game Summary : Terrible Start Costing The Win
In the last game of the regular season for the Hurricanes, they were facing the Chiefs in Hamilton and the weather forecast was no good at all. It was raining so the two franchises had to adapt to the conditions. The game was referred by Official Mike Fraser.
The opening exchanges were all Chiefs as the Hurricanes were struggling for possession. There were a couple of lineout throws which did not find the target. Hooker Ricky Riccitelli was under pressure and wingers such as Ben Lam did not read the play well.
The Chiefs managed to find the sapce out wide and got close to the Hurricanes try line. Following some good carries, second-rower Brodie Retallick picked the ball up and was powerful enough to score. Marty McKenzie converted it and they had a very good start.
After that, the Hurricanes had to react with prop Jefferey To’omanga-Allen generating some go-forward. Though, the Chiefs were reading well the sequences. Beauden Barrett tried the inside pass but Brad Weber intercepted and had enough pace to score the try.
The Hurricanes had no answer to break the Chiefs defence as neither Sam Lousi or Blade Thompson were able to find the key. The Chiefs turned the ball over and started a counter-attacking play on the left wing which was finished by Solomon Alaimalo, later.
With a quarter to play in the first-half, the Hurricanes were targeting the Half-Time without conceding more points. They tried to keep the ball and build some phases. TJ Perenara was looking to get Ngani Laumapae involved in the midfield but it was tough.
It was the Half-Time whistle from Mike Fraser and the Hurricanes were trailing the Chiefs by 3 converted tries (21 points). Chris Boyd was going to have a huge work in the sheds to get a reaction. The Hurricanes had to react quickly in the second-half (HT : 21-0).
The second-half was underway and the Hurricanes tried to keep the composure and play a territory game. Beauden Barrett made some grubbers and tried a few up-and-unders. Winger Nehe Milner-Skudder tried to make something happen and so did Toby Smith.
Relying on their patience, it finally brought rewards to the Hurricanes when winger Ben Lam found some space in his left wing. He made a good assist to centre Wes Goosen who went back inside. He scored the try for the Hurricanes who finally had the momentum.
Back in the Chiefs’ territory, the Hurricanes got their driving maul set and they started to build another phase. Going for the carries, the Hurricanes were more structured and back-rower Blade Thompson scored the second try from close range to come back, then.
Just after that, there was an incident with centre Johnny Fa’auli tackling dangerously Wes Goosen. There was a TMO check and the Chiefs centre was sent off. On the resulting penalty, the Hurricanes got a driving maul, an attacking position, and Ben May scored.
However, the Hurricanes were not clinical in their exits as the Chiefs regained the possession. Flanker Mitch Karpik scored for the home team despite the red card and the Hurricanes were chasing the scoreboard with just less than these 10 minutes remaining.
With the scoreobard ticking over, the Hurricanes played with too much urgency. Winger Julian Savea, who came off the bench, touched down in the last play of the game. The try was very well built for the team and the game was over after the whistle of the referee.
It was the end of the game and the Hurricanes had almost completed a magnificient comeback. They were not clinical enough in the last quarter of the game. The two franchises were going to face each other again next weekend in the play-offs (FT : 28-24).
The Barrett Review : Weather Forecast Playing A Part
Kicks : N/A – Just like last weekend, Beauden Barrett did not kick at goal. His brother Jordie Barrett got the goalkicking duties. It is unsure whether Beauden Barrett will reclaim the goalkicking duties for the next game. The decision would be made later, then.
General Play : Beauden Barrett did not have a great game. He was intercepted once and it cost a try and should have done better on the Chiefs’ 3rd try. He also gave away possession too many times. His passing game was not accurate and he did not adapt well.
Conclusion : It was not Beauden Barrett’s greatest game ever but a reaction would be necessary for next weekend. The Hurricanes will face the Chiefs again next weekend. The weather forecast will be better and so Beauden Barrett will have to play at his best.
Max.
Rugby, Only Rugby ! 