Both the Hurricanes and Chiefs will come into Round 14 of the 2013 Super Rugby season looking to build off wins last weekend when they meet in Wellington tonight. We’ll have live scores from 5.35pm AEST.
The Chiefs’ narrow 22-21 victory over the Force last weekend was their third win in a row, largely thanks to the boot of Aaron Cruden, who booted five first-half penalties to get the home side the four points.
The Chiefs’ 8-3 record leaves them sitting in second place on the overall Super Rugby ladder and the fact they’ve been able to get there without showing any of their best rugby is a scary thought for their opposition.
Tonight they’ll travel to Wellington without the services of forward Sam Cane, who will miss with a back injury and is expected to be replaced by Tanerau Latimer in the starting XV.
The Hurricanes sit perched mid-table in the New Zealand Conference with six wins and five losses.
A win tonight would take them to within touching distance of the Crusaders, who sit third in the Conference.
The Canes rebounded from a 34-point thrashing at the hands of the Bulls a fortnight ago by beating the Cheetahs 39-34.
Despite having to return to New Zealand on a short back-up they’ll come into this game expecting to get a result.
Can the Hurricanes keep their season alive with a win tonight, or will the Chiefs continue to show why they’re one of the competition frontrunners? Find out from 5.35pm AEST.
Dan H
Guest
Given for ben t hands in the ruck stated cynical play by ref. There were about 2 other infringements before that though and a canes player off his feet laying all over the ruck.
atlas
Guest
Fulltime and four points to the Chiefs winning in Wellington one for the Hurricanes HURRICANES 12 - CHIEFS 17 A fair win I think to Chiefs in a close match, no controversial decisions, didn't hear any negative comments re the ref I thought he was fine. HURRICANES have - bye, then away to Brumbies and Chiefs, Highlanders at home, Crusaders away CHIEFS have Crusaders home , bye, Hurricanes home, Crusaders then Blues away
Chris
Guest
What was the card for?
Dan H
Guest
Commentary said on for franks but he is still on the field.
atlas
Guest
a loss here for Hurricanes is surely a season-ender in attempt for a wildcard spot, Crusaders/Blues can battle it out one point does nothing, a draw won't help either 74min Uncontested scrums - suits the Chiefs with a 7-man scrum and Hurricanes penalised 20m out, there goes the territory James Marshall on for Taylor as fullback for Hurricanes Reg Goodes on for ? not sure whos in the front row
Dan H
Guest
Not sure about the decision but nice to see some refs have the balls to give the yellow in that situation.
atlas
Guest
lost coverage 70min back and Barrett taking a shot at goal for Hurricanes score Hurricanes 12 Chiefs 17 and a Chiefs player in bin for rest of game
atlas
Guest
Hurricanes Jeff Toomaga-Allen collapses with knee/ankle injury after just a few min on field pity if its serious as Monday he's with the All Blacks wider training squad Ben May back on to replace him Hurricanes just can't get thru this defence, a lot of left/right across the field but little forward progress in this half
atlas
Guest
59min Shields penalised, another shot for Cruden this one at about 45m misses score remains Chiefs 17 - Hurricanes 9 Afeaki off for Chiefs, Ben Tameifuna on Toomaga-Allen and Shields came on earlier for Hurricanes, now Tusi Pisi on also
atlas
Guest
55min try Chiefs, after so much time defending get downfield and make the most of it Tanaerau Latimer crosses, Cruden can't convert and Chiefs 17-12 first time in game there has been more than 3pts difference
pogo
Guest
in related news coumties may join the blues, a logical arrangement if you ask me.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Second charge down. Thats fairly unacceptable.
atlas
Guest
49min a mess of scrums 5m from Chiefs line, and they are a mess, both side take turns, kicked thru by Hurricanes so 22m dropout, Perenara kicks Hurricanes back to 10m from line, they get ball from Chiefs lineout All come to nothing, Robinson clears to halfway
atlas
Guest
43min Commentator says players appear half asleep Chiefs penalised on halfway; H kick for lineout 15m out. Knocked on in attack 15m out Territory stats favour Hurricanes 60-40
AndyS
Guest
Will be interesting to see the response - might give an insight to their plans in 2015...
AndyS
Guest
atlas
Guest
a few stats Hurricanes have won 11 of the 20 games played against the Chiefs, one draw Chiefs have not won in Wellington since 2001. The Chiefs are without their two top try scorers Tim Nanai-Williams (six) and Gareth Anscombe (five) this week, while the Hurricanes will have their two top try scorers in Julian Savea and TJ Perenara (five tries each). Both teams are conceding an average of 10 penalties per game, although the Hurricanes conceded 13 last week. Ben Franks is their most penalised player with a total of 16, while Liam Messam is the most penalised Chiefs player with 11.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm
atlas
Guest
a little NZ Super news Taranaki province is currently in the Hurricanes region, to the north it borders with Waikato/Chiefs country; Taranaki made a bid for their own franchise, missed out, turned down offer to buy share of Hurricanes franchise, latest effort last week is to apply to NZRU to buy into Chiefs franchise and for the province to opt out of Hurricanes. Chiefs deal would be contingent upon Taranaki geting two 'home' games per season - Hurricanes play none in Taranaki/New Plymouth despite it having a good stadium - hosted RWC matches, and hosts France test next month.
atlas
Guest
40min hooter goes and Chiefs awarded a penalty Cruden will have a go from 59m out HALFTIME Hurricanes 9 Chiefs 12 All penalties 3 for Barrett 4 for Cruden