A double to Hurricanes captain TJ Perenara and two momentous try-scoring rulings have condemned the Blues to a 23-19 loss in Auckland.
The Hurricanes notched their first win of the Super Rugby season, scoring three tries to two in a bruising but often error-filled third-round clash between two sides coming off defeats.
The win appears to have come at a cost, with winger Nehe Milner-Skudder exiting with a serious-looking shoulder injury after 50 minutes. Flanker Brad Shields was also replaced before halftime with a knock.
All Blacks halfback Perenara crossed either side of halftime to maintain his reputation as a finisher. He has crossed for three tries in three games this season, having scored 11 times in 2015.
No.8 Victor Vito scored the other for the Hurricanes, who lacked the territory and possession of the hosts but were more clinical in attack.
They survived a thunderous late assault on the their tryline during the dying minutes, losing Vito to the sin-bin for a professional foul but still held out the desperate Blues, who also boast a one win-two loss record.
As they did in last week’s defeat to the Crusaders, the Blues lacked a cutting edge when it counted most.
They also weren’t helped by a three-from-seven goalkicking return for five-eighth Ihaia West. His two early penalty misses sucked some life from a Blues side who dominated the opening quarter but only led 3-0.
Wing Rene Ranger extended the lead with his first try since returning from two seasons in France before a flurry of Hurricanes points – including a superb Perenara try off Milner-Skudder’s chip ahead – put them 15-8 ahead at halftime.
George Moala then powered over for the Blues who trailed by five points before pivotal decisions by television match official Shane McDermott in reviewing two try-scoring plays.
He ruled Hurricanes flanker Ardie Savea – a strong contender as man of the match – hadn’t knocked on in the lead-up to Perenara’s second try even though replays suggested the No.7 had fumbled.
Shortly afterwards, McDermott deemed Lolagi Visinia’s pass to Tevita Li was marginally forward before the winger zoomed 45m to score next to the posts.
His team trailing by 10, West found his radar with successive penalties to set up a grandstand finish.
ClarkeG
Guest
Agree regarding Charlie
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
The scoreboard says no knock on ... so no knock on .... gotta take the swings with the roundabouts ... Blues got the rub of the green against the Highlanders with big Charlie Faumuina taking out a player while a try was being scored...
ClarkeG
Guest
Yes Jerry you may very well be right but what I have said is that I can't be adamant as you are so if I was the TMO I would have to rule that there was no knock on.
Jerry
Guest
Savea rolled it forward. It may have been on the ground, but it went forward.q
ClarkeG
Guest
This is another case of officials causing issues by saying too much. There was no need for the TMO to use the words "real time" - he actually means "normal speed". All he had to say was there was no clear/obvious knock on. The foot in touch scenario is no different. If it is not clear/obvious that the player touched the line then it can't be ruled out. All that aside I think the decision to allow the try was correct. I have replayed the incident several times at normal speed, slow motion and frame advance and I can not be sure that the ball was ever knocked forward.
Jerry
Guest
I can see the benefit of real time replays in some situations - e.g. when judging a late tackle or some other foul play incidents. It could be useful in determining whether a player's action was premeditated or reactionary. But when dealing with a knock on, it's just a bizarre criteria. What's next - in real time, his foot didn't touch the line, so he's not out? And of course, the idea that you can accurately judge 'real time' when limited to 25 frames per second is laughable.
Apelu
Guest
McDermott seemed to have interpreted the law rather than ruling on what the replays show. He said on 'real time', whatever that means, Savea did not knock on. If that is the case, what is the point of replays? Why not make all decisions based on 'real time'? They can make a decision to reward positive plays and give the benefit of the doubt, in calls that are marginal, like those two critical calls he made, to the attcking team.