Only three points separates’ the Hurricanes and Blues from the sixth wildcard spot and they’ll be looking to grab as many points on offer as they can to sneak into a playoff position. Join The Roar from 5:35 AEST for all the live scores and game updates.
Wins at last. The Hurricanes spent the first six rounds of the competition scratching their heads. They tried, tried and kept trying to find wins but none came.
They were handed the short end of the stick when this year’s Super Rugby Draw was finalised. They begun their season in South Africa of all places, and it set the tone for a poor start. Since then they’ve fumbled and bumbled their way through the early rounds.
While it has been a terrible struggle for the men from New Zealand’s capital they finally broke their duck. In Round 6 they came so agonisingly close to their first win only to be get beaten by the game clock and a lack of luck.
That proved to be the momentum builder they needed; the one turn to give them direction. The ‘Canes followed that close call up with back-to-back wins against the Crusaders and Bulls and that has placed them in contention for the playoffs. Now, after a week off they’re ready to roll against the Blues.
A playoff spot is also in sight of the men from Auckland. Like the Hurricanes they are coming off the bye weekend, and it came at a pretty good time.
It was a horror showing from them against the Brumbies in Canberra prior to the bye, and they will not want a repeat of that performance. Aiding their fresh start this week the Blues will see a return of several key players and some of their veterans are expected to start from the bench.
The question remains, though, whether the Blues are good enough to feature in the postseason. Their attack at times has lacked any real offensive punch, and their defence can leave a lot to be desired. When they beat the Highlanders it was through domination and capitalising on the mistakes the Highlanders made.
Against the Brumbies they weren’t allowed to play their own game and there was little they could do to penetrate the defence to get any momentum. It’ll be important for the Blues to get points on the board early, and not rely too much on waiting for the Hurricanes to gift them freebies.
Tip: Blues
Mark
Guest
Zero Organisation, Structure, Game Plan or Composure... Another year of failure... Another year of failing to retain possession... Another year of showing zero composure or any ability to build pressure... Another Coach rewarded with an extension for no reason (tell me - why do you give an extension to a coach at the start of the season who has proven nothing when noone - and I mean noone - is chasing him - the Blues has zero risk in keeping their powder dry - but no lets make a hasty decision - just who the hell is running this organisation - clearly noone with any brains or business accumen) Time for the Board to go. They are the most incompetent organisation in the world. 500K a year on an unneeded player... No Locks - didnt even try - should have been knock down Birds door with promises of First Team action week in week out...rather than rotting on the Crusaders bench... Kirwan has turned Luatua into a blamonge... Piatau looks like hes had all his briliance coached out of him... The lot of them look like they have hardly been introduced...no team play - completely individualistic...
Shane
Guest
That pass went almost 12meters forward. I know the blues have an very average tight 5 and no leader in the back line (maybe they should give benji full rights for one game at 10 and let him run, kick and pass as he sees fit) but they have had two big calls this season against them (in south africa and now wellington)
Firstxv
Guest
One word... Blueswerepatheticemarrassingandpurelysecondrate
Buzzard
Guest
My weak conference? I'm a Saders supporter so you calling the NZ conference weak?
WEST
Roar Guru
Another great Hurricane win. The team is putting together some beautiful tries. Jane is back in action. He doesn't waste time does he. Alapati Leiua, this guy is just a power house with Legs of steel. Julian Savea again feeding that ball hunger. Really enjoy watching this fella. James Broadhurst really got stuck in. The Blues are living up to the name. Still have some great talent like Charles Piutau, Jerome Kaino, man he's an animal. Blues missed 19 tackles lost 3 line outs. Just not the team energy of the Hurricanes. Blues need to really learn from this lesson.
killaku
Guest
Yes we will have our Kiwi's back please pass on the other losers
killaku
Guest
Hasn't your weak conference being doing that for years,Good on ya Blues do it for the boys
Buzzard
Guest
Im talking about the way they played this eveing. Pathetic display. Milking points!
felix
Guest
:-D
richard
Guest
Seriously? Mehrtens and Carter,then I'm struggling.It certainly isn't Bleyendaal or McIntyre,and Tom Taylor is a good goal kicker,and thats about the limit of his abilities. Cruden,Carter,Barrett and Sopoaga and then daylight.I wasn't aware they all came through the Canterbury system.
Newybro
Guest
The blues have great attacking players but always seem to be riddled by handling errors - I would love to see how they would go if some of their games were played in the afternoon. The canes forward pack destroyed the blues tonight. Also, Levave is a greatly underestimated player, very similar to Kaino .
atlas
Guest
won't ask where you pulled that from . . . the usual place I presume their results v NZ sides in 2014 are 2-2: lost to Highlanders 21-29 beat Crusaders 35-24 beat Highlanders 30-12 and tonight lost 20-39 v Hurricanes in terms of milked points/easy wins for same-country sides the Reds would hold that title so far this season?
Buzzard
Guest
Stalker
Buzzard
Guest
Terrible display by the Blues. They are a bit of an embarrassment being a franchise from one of the largest rugby areas in Australasia.
Buzzard
Guest
The Blues are just milking points for other NZ teams. An easy 5 pts by the look of it. Pity the Blues werent in the Oz conference, 10 easy points for the Oz teams.
Mike
Guest
Heh, nice to know we have a purpose...
KKD
Guest
Play benji Marshall.done.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Yeah he was talking about Kiwis wanting Kiwi teams to lose not pretend Kiwis.
Pete
Guest
Nah Buzzard, the blues will def. lose all thier games. Just look at the Force-just shows what kiwi imports does to a team over the local players
Buzzard
Guest
All depends Victoria...if I need a saffa or Oz team to beat another Kiwi team so my Kiwi team can make the finals I don't care. Id like that Saffa or Oz team to beat that Kiwi team. Its a international provincial competition not a trinations. I leave that for the RC.