- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
FULLTIME- HURRICANES 22 have defeated the CHIEFS 18
A physical and intense contest played out tonight with the Hurricanes able to hold on for the victory although controversy will reign after a last minute decision by referree Glen Jackson seemingly denying the Chiefs their opportunity for victory at the death.
The Chiefs looked doomed from the start, being without many of their first choice players and only got worse as they lost both of their starting locks to injury before halftime. Noone told the Chiefs however, they muscled up in the forwards and dominated the contact areas at times and managed for the most part to keep their set peice together. Despite their misfortune, the Chiefs knew they had to dig deep tonight if they wanted a home final and they certainly did. Captain Liam Messam led from the front and was oh so close to leading his team to an incredible upset here tonight but again the Chiefs were let down by their discipline, conceeding fourteen and continually unable to place the Hurricanes under sustained pressure.
But as the Hurricanes have done for the majority of the season, when their backs are against the wall, they have found a way to win and once again Ma’a Nonu was the catalyst for his team with outstanding defence and always a threat with ball in hand while James Broadhurst continues on with his magnificent form this season with a huge workrate. Despite the win, I doubt that they will be overly happy with tonights performance and will know they have escaped here by the skin of their teeth. Still, a good position to be in, knowing there is plenty of improvement to be had while continuing to climb the ladder.
Good evening and settle in for what promises to be a bumper New Zealand derby match between the top two Kiwi franchises as the Hurricanes take on the Chiefs from 5:35pm AEST from Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary, and feel free to join the discussion in the comments section below.
Bragging rights are up for grabs tonight as the two best New Zealand sides go head to head in a keenly anticipated clash likely to go a long way to deciding top spot in the NZ conference.
The Hurricanes have had a superb season to date, leading the New Zealand conference and second place overall by a commanding 10 points over the Chiefs and with only five rounds left to play, a win this evening goes a long way to securing top spot and a home semi-final.
For the Chiefs, a win is a must for them to close the gap between them and the Hurricanes and keep their hopes alive of winning the conference and securing an all-important home knock out match.
Both sides look to play with width and continuity so a potential blockbuster is on the cards as two quality backlines will be looking to tear each other apart.
The battle within the halves will be one to keep an eye on. With both sides missing their number one first fives in Beauden Barrett and Aaron Cruden, all eyes will be on their replacements with the solid Taranaki Captain James Marshall steering the cutter for the Hurricanes and the rising young talent of Damian Mackenzie controlling the Chiefs.
At halfback, current All Black TJ Perenara will have his hands full with the young Brad Webber for the Chiefs, whom many are touting as a possible All Black bolter.
While the backlines dominate a few discussions, the performance of the respective packs will of course contribute greatly to the winning cause tonight and both sides have their issues with current All Blacks Dane Coles under a cloud for the Hurricanes and Brodie Retallick unavailable for the Chiefs.
Further woes for the Chiefs with hard working Matt Symons ruled out of the match otherwise both sides have named their strongest available starting line-ups in recognition of the importance of tonight’s clash.
Join us here on the Roar for one of 2015 most anticipated Super Rugby clashes and feel free to join in the banter below as we cover the action blow by blow.
Tip – Hurricanes
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.