Two flashes of Beauden Barrett genius have booked the Hurricanes a second-successive Super Rugby final appearance following a 25-9 win over the Chiefs.
Read more:
» The Wrap: Super Rugby semi-finals
» AFL talking points from Round 19
» NRL talking points from the weekend
Brilliant playmaker Barrett created one long-range try and scored another in Saturday’s first half of a rugged semi-final.
» Re-live all the action with our live blog
His side will return to Wellington next weekend, hoping to improve on last year’s loss in the decider to the Highlanders.
It could be a repeat of that game, with the Highlanders facing the Lions late on Saturday night (2300 AEST) in the second semi-final in Johannesburg.
Whoever qualifies will need to find a way to quell All Blacks game-breaker Barrett, along with flanker Ardie Savea, who was immense in both attack and defence.
Without the pair, the home side might have struggled to overcome a Chiefs side who held sway at scrum and lineout time and dominated territory in cold, blustery conditions.
The Hurricanes stubbornly protected their tryline against a Chiefs side who had scored 76 tries this season, including eight in last week’s quarter-final rout of the Stormers.
The travel could be one explanation for an error-riddled Chiefs attacking display, the two-time champions unable to conjure the brilliant finishing that has been a trademark of their season. Three penalties to fullback Damian McKenzie provided their only points.
It was the top-seeded Hurricanes who capitalised on their chances, leading 15-6 at halftime courtesy of Barrett’s speed and anticipation.
He broke the game open in the seventh minute from 75m out when he received turnover ball. A chip and regather was followed by a searing looping run before linking with inside centre Willis Halaholo to complete a memorable try.
McKenzie and Barrett traded penalties before the Hurricanes’ No.10 intercepted a loose pass from Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane and raced 55m.
The outcome was virtually sealed when No.8 Victor Vito, playing his second-last game for the Hurricanes, drove across after some nice deception off the back of the scrum.
The Chiefs dominated the last half-hour, but trading penalty goals was all they could muster, with the visitors still unable to cross, while the Hurricanes’ winger Cory Jane was in the sin bin for a deliberate infringement.
Victory was the seventh in a row for the Hurricanes, the only New Zealand team still to win a Super Rugby title.
They will hope captain Dane Coles will be fit, with the All Blacks’ hooker ruled out of the match with a rib injury.
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Guest
Hi Samalavich, I am stoked he is at the Canes. Watched T-man play against the Rebels here in Melbourne, and from what I saw, he still has a lot to work on, specially his kicking, but he definitely has potential. His 100m time is roughly 10.8 secs, so maybe a game breaker sniping around the rucks and in open play. From what I understand talking to his father, he went to the Canes to try and keep building his combination with Otere. The way TJ is playing, I think it may be a season or two before T-man gets more then sporadic game time, barring injury of course. The Canes have always been my second favourite team, so only time I don't support the Canes is against the Chiefs. Congrats on the game Samalavich, and good luck this weekend against the Lions!
stainlesssteve
Guest
they might work for the TV, based in Miami or New York, bless their pointed little heads, but they might live in Wellington, unlike most New Zealanders
Chivas
Guest
I think Ben, he is just saying that the Canes relied on results which were not under their control to end up there. Not that they didn't deserve to be there. I very much doubt a week before that game you would have been so cock sure that the Hurricanes would jump from fourth to first in one weekend. If you did then good for you. Not many others did from the comments going around. But yes you could argue that whoever ends up on top is down to some good fortune and luck. And finally who cares. They are there, they fully deserved their win against the Chiefs (even with a gunshy ref when it came to multiple offences in a row within five metres of the Canes line). And they also totally deserve their day in the lime light next weekend and I pray to God and any other deity who may help that the Canes get across the line. Good luck. Hope the build up is awesome, the weather is great and the day is absolutely massive. Good luck :-)
FrankJ
Guest
Lowe can't tackle a wet paper bag. And he's a goose.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Ahhhh, how as there any bias as both teams were from NZ. The commentators were doing their job by showing what happened to cause a player to hit the deck in back play. Commentators of course should be able to request replays of incidents. They work for the TV company & are showing replays to assist their coverage of the game. How the officials get their feed of the game has nothing to do with the commentary team.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Personally I like the 1,2 punch with Savea coming off the bench to pick up the pace. Cane gets through a tonne of defensive work & his physicality is a good thing to have in the first 60 minutes or so of a test match. Great position to be in & a delimma Hansen must be enjoying after the retirement of the previous 7.
ben
Guest
Rd 17 Crusaders pummelled by Canes. Chiefs beaten by Highlanders in Dunedin where they have become the Chiefs bogey team. Lions beaten by Jaguares in Argentina after taking a B team. How so a fluke?
ben
Guest
Guarantee Lowe wont make it.
Dave
Guest
You make a habit of it, so you should be
ebop
Guest
Round 17 Crusaders lost Chiefs lost Lions lost = Canes top That's flukey. I'm not saying undeserved, just flukey
ben
Guest
Fluke = "an accident or chance happening".
ben
Guest
After the rd 13 bye..... Vs Highlanders at home. Won 27-20 Vs Blues at home. Won 37-27 Vs Waratahs away. Won 28-17 Vs Crusaders away. Won 35-10 Pretty flukey....
CUW
Guest
it was a bit confusing wasnt it? according to the commentary , the ref had given a warning to Vito. so the chiefs went for lineout + maul from first penalty. when the second time the ref gave another warning the commentary was trying to clarify what they had said earlier. either they heard something regarding the first warning the viewers did not ( coz i heard the 2nd warning :) ) or the ref got cold feet in a semi final to dish a card out in the first 10 minutes.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I have lost all respect for the NZ commentary and the constant highlighting of the Sam Cane incident which was one of the more pathetic uses of the third ref i have witnessed. There was an absolute bias shown knowing they were going to influence the decision by requesting numerous replays. The fact they then went totally silent when TJ Perenara lashed out and kicked Sam Cane in the face which should have ruled Pernara out of the rest of this competition and the rest of the match was a disgrace. Totally unprofessional from commentators i have respected in the past, not any more. Sanzaar must act to remove any influence commentary and the video controllers can have on the match officials. Commentary must not be allowed to request replays. If they must for commercial purposes replays must not be shown at the ground or must not be made available for the match official unless requested by himself. officials should have no audio of commentary.
ebop
Guest
To be fair ben, I can't argue with anything you said, unfortunately (for me). Few scrum penalties in the danger zone though huh? No YC. No crying from the Chiefs to their credit. Or no Stephen Moore level histrionics about the collapsed maul near the line or drama over TJ's kick to Sam Cane's head. You gotta be impressed with that? Never mind, best team won. Good luck next week. The silver lining is that our best NZ team that fluked their way to top spot has everything in their favour for the final so it's there for the taking for the Canes. A NZ team has a great chance to win. So don't bloody let us down eh ;)
CUW
Guest
Hookers: D.Coles, N.Harris, C.Taylor. Props: O.Franks, W.Crockett, J.Moody, C.Faumuina, O.Tu’ungafasi Locks: B.Rettalick, S.Whitelock, L. Romano P.Tuipulotu Loosies: J.Kaino, S.Cane, K.Read, E.Dixon, A.Savea Halves: A.Smith, T.Kerr-Barlow, T.J.Perenara, B.Barrett, A.Cruden, L.Sapoaga. Centres: G.Moala, R.Crotty, M.Fekitoa, Seta Tamanivalu (S.B.Williams) Back 3: W.Naholo, I.Dagg, B.Smith, J Savea / J Lowe
stainlesssteve
Guest
fair enough T-man. I'm in grief, not thinking straight
Chivas
Guest
The Canes love is strong in this one....
ben
Guest
Still say canes fluked it ebop?? All Black matchups clear wins to Canes. Barrett v Cruden...Barrett Perenara v Kerr_barlow..Perenara Ardie v Cane...Ardie. Even AB hooker Harris outpointed by Super rugby novice Rikitelli. Ironic thing is this time chiefs had the wood on our scrum...the difference being canes continued to scrum and didnt cry "enough!!". Lowe showed why hes not an AB. Did exactly the same in last years semi v highlanders where he played his way out. In the big pressure games he crumbles. Doesnt seem to have the temperament. I think chiefs started with the wrong halfback. Ardie is special. Barrett in the best form of his life. Fifita head to head with up n comer of same ilk... Seu...Fifita points win and getting better every game...love to see him at 6 but gotta include Shields as well. Big credit to Boyd Plumtree and Watt. Love your work boys. I think the culture of inclusiveness team and confidence shines with examples like Uhila. New at this level his humbleness but confidence to say "well im gona take a quick tap n go for it" shows theres no restrictions on experience or stature. One more game Sam, one more game Digger!!! We win that.... my shout on the Crownies!!!
Dubaikiwi
Guest
Congrats to diggercane and all the suppoerts of the Hurricanes, the chiefs were just to many errrs and poor ball handling to be effective.