The Hurricanes beat the Melbourne Rebels 29-19 in a game of two halves.
Melbourne were looking to get back to winning ways after a few disappointing losses.
The Hurricanes, on the other hand, had come off a thumping win over the Chiefs in Round 11.
The Hurricanes applied the pressure early as the visiting side found themselves clearing out of their 22. The kick fell into the hands of Beauden Barrett on halfway, who sucked in three defenders before putting Ngani Laumape through a gaping hole.
Laumape made his way up past the 22 before he brushed off the returning Dane Haylett-Petty with a neat left-foot step to score his eighth try of the season.
Beauden Barrett added the extras before scoring one of his own just two minutes later.
The Rebels once again found themselves on the back foot, deep inside their own half. And with a clean shift of the hands, Barrett strolled past Marika Koroibete, who had left his man too much room.
Another Barrett conversion extended the Hurricanes lead to 14 inside nine minutes.
The home side were on a roll as they looked to further push their advantage.
The Hurricanes pressed for 12 phases on the left-hand side of the field. The forwards worked hard around the fringes of the ruck, attempting to draw in the Rebels defenders.
Replacing TJ Perenara, scrumhalf Richard Judd then decided it was time to move it via the back line.
Wes Goosen managed to get himself on the outside of his opposite defender on the right wing to slide in for the Canes’ third try of the match.
Barrett’s conversion hit the post but the home side had the Rebels on the ropes just after 15 minutes.
The match was threatening to blow-out though when Vaea Fifita helped himself to a five-pointer.
(AAP Image/SNPA, Ross Setford)
The Hurricanes were attacking on the halfway line when lock James Blackwell burst through the Rebels’ defensive line. He offloaded in the tackle to Asafo Aumua, who barged over Will Genia and directed long pass towards the left-hand touchline.
Fifita gathered the pass and ran over for the try, and with the added conversion from Barrett, the Hurricanes led 26-0 after 22 minutes.
The Rebels had to strike back immediately and they edged closer to the Hurricanes line off the back of multiple scrum penalties. But they could not make use of their opportunities as the Hurricanes found a way to fend off the pressure.
The score stayed the same for the rest of the half as the Hurricanes took a 26-0 lead into the half-time break.
The Rebels had to score first in the second half and they did so thanks to a well-executed back line move off a scrum.
Quade Cooper popped the ball onto his right shoulder where a barnstorming Reece Hodge charged onto it and burst through the line.
He was taken down but another Cooper pass off the recurring phase found a hard-running Matt Philip, who dove over the white chalk for the first try for the Rebels. Cooper knocked over the conversion, which reduced the deficit to 19.
The Victorian side continued to press and a string of infringements by the hosts meant they were placed on a last warning by referee Nic Berry.
The pressure eventually paid off when Bill Meakes got over for the Melbourne side.
Another set-piece move off the back of a line-out saw Genia scoot around the back looking for runners. He found replacement forward Pone Fa’amausili, who had only been on the field for a matter of moments.
Fa’amausili broke through the line and handed it off to Koroibete, who then did the same to Billy Meakes who dotted it down to give the Rebels a sniff.
Cooper added the conversion as the score went to 26-14 in favour of the Canes.
The Rebels were in a try-scoring mood and despite handing the ball back to the Hurricanes, a big shove from the scrum handed them their third try of the evening.
The Hurricanes secured a defensive scrum five metres from their line. The Rebels pack walked through the hosts’ scrum though and turned it over.
Genia unleashed it out to the backs and an overlap was found when Reece Hodge outpaced Wes Goosen to the try line to reduce the margin to seven points.
(Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Cooper could not add the extras with a tough kick but the Rebels had the momentum leading into the final ten minutes.
Jordie Barrett then extended the Canes’ lead to ten when a penalty for tackling the man without the ball gave the fullback a penalty kick from just over 40 metres out on a slight angle. He had no problems with the kick as he drilled it between the posts.
With a minute and a half left, the Rebels opted to take a shot at goal, courtesy of the Hurricanes’ backline rushing up too early.
Cooper hooked the kick to the left of the posts though, and a Hurricanes penalty for holding on a minute later put the game to bed.
The Hurricanes secured the victory, prevailing over the Rebels 29-19.
That is the third loss on the trot for the Rebels as they continue to come under pressure from their rival Aussie teams. They travel back home next week to take on the Reds, who are coming off a gritty win over the Sunwolves.
The Hurricanes, on the other hand, have now strung together four wins in as many games. They travel north to Auckland to take on the Blues at Eden Park.
Misha
Guest
There was zero wind on the day and match in Wellington - a beautiful day - sorry to disappoint.
Bluesfan
Yip - sometimes it's a little strange that people comment on who Quade was as a person 10 odd years ago - when let's face it, he was a bit of a tool (who wouldn't be if aged 20 and given rugby gifts like he had). However like all of us he has matured - from all the comments I read about him - when people interact with him sounds like he has grown as a person and seems to have some really good qualities about him. Same with someone like James O'Connor or even Giteau - played up in youth but then grown and mature as men. Yet people will still look at them sometimes as if they were still brash 20 year olds.
Bluesfan
Honestly I don't know - hopefully NZ has grown a bit - just like Quade has over the years.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Thanks BF. You are spot on “And to be honest that way people want to rip him (and Foley) apart is pretty sad – both guys put everything onto the field each time they play.” I am in record as seeing Quade’s upside as superior to Bernard’s, but the need to run any courageous professional down baffles me. Which is where this silly comments column began. I take your point regarding Quade running on tired legs. Of course you are correct. (I cannot imagine BB ever becoming slow btw). However, for mine QC still ticks more boxes as a playmaker on this side of the ditch than anyone else. People don’t have to agree with me but lazy negative comments from people running on two year old news is annoying, and slanderous to a young man’s prospects.
Bluesfan
Look I like Quade - think it was a tragedy that he wasn't playing last year. And to be honest that way people want to rip him (and Foley) apart is pretty sad - both guys put everything onto the field each time they play. However just like Dan Carter, injuries and time catch up with everyone eventfully and I think that's apparent with Cooper. Still a Great player but no probably moving into his elder years as a player - if I was him - time to milk some Yen for his retirement fund. As a comparision and to reflect on his skill set - what happens to Barrett's qualities if he starts to drop speed (as with all players) - does he have the kicking/passing game required? Makes you realize just how good Carter was - that in 2015 after how many years at the top, that he effecftively got the AB's through Semi and Final of the WC.
Sam
Guest
KCOL- The Rebels definitely missed Meakes in attack and defence. I feel he has built a really good centre pair with English, probably the best since the Inman/ Ellison combination of about 4 years ago. Even when Meakes came on to replace DHP at FB we looked better in attack immediately. I assumed Hodge dropped back and Meakes went into Centre but I'm not sure if that's what happened.
PeterK
Roar Guru
riddler - both espn and foxsports have QC with 4 tackles made and zero tackles missed.
Rob M
Roar Rookie
Top comment
Robbie Marshall
Roar Rookie
Don't rate DHP as an international fullback, was all at sea against Canes. Look how well they went once he was subbed off.
riddler
Roar Rookie
Hope I will always have. I remember my old man telling stories of when nsw wouldn't even play qld we were that bad. We have ups and downs. Problem is we all expect our ups to be permanent. We will never be nz, impossible. I am just happy to be around when we top of the world on near on everything we touched, cricket, rugby, tennis, golf,swimming, The gold generation born between 60-80. We probably won't see that again but individual sports will have their peaks. Hope!! Rugby will get back, but let's not build up false gods in the meantime. Pun not intended izzy.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes, Riddler the whole landscape is bare. Which is perhaps why there is so much bickering. We are all in need of something to celebrate, or at least hope of it.
riddler
Roar Rookie
ctachy i think that wessels seems to have some teflon characteristics. i still really haven't seen much from him and he gets a free rein, with some even still pushing for him for the oz job. gibson isn't doing anything great, neither is mckellar. it is not a high point for oz coaches that is for sure. been a long time since we have had a quality coach, let alone a number of them. like our refs. been a very long time since we have had a good oz ref. people focus on the players because they are the pointy end of the pyramid. the real issue where is there any world class aspect of rugby in oz. none of our admin would be poached by anyone, none of refs are standouts, although i have hope for berry, our coaches are not in demand anywhere except eddie and he is nearing 60. none of our commentators even would be desired by anyone. it isn't a pretty landscape for oz rugby at the moment sadly. i will though still be there supporting them and hoping for the best.
Prof_Kaos
Roar Rookie
Re Laumape try: I was wrong. To be sure I watched the On Demand and got a close up angle I had not seen replayed that shows Quade in the right wings position. Initially after the kick he dropped back to the left where the last tackler came from.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Hey BF, I noticed a bit of booing at Quade, but it only occurred at the last penalty attempt I think. Are the Kiwis getting over their hatred obsession with Quade?Always thought it was poor form especially since he was NZ born.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
EJ, thank you for your measured response. I admit I was over reacting to a certain poster taking disproportionate joy from a few QC mistakes. However, Philip’s try was set up by Hodges charge off Cooper’s pass. I’m not going to say anymore here. I will accept your version of events and a view that sees Quade’s contribution as marginal. This thread started with an Auckland parade-rainer declaring this loss as the creation of one man, which it demonstrably was not. I stand corrected by your fact straightening.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Harry I've never been a Quade lover or hater but he's always been a very good flyhalf at provincial level imo. Never a great Test player but he's had some good games there ... and some poor one's. Quade lost his speed and big step with his knee reconstruction yrs ago. What he has improved since then is his passing, play making, game management, kicking and defence. He's also less error prone, less adventurous and more consistent. Behind a winning pack on a good day QC can still be very good at any level imo. None of the Aust no 10s are anywhere near good enough to guide WBs to a RWC cup win this yr. And almost no chance of making a semi final either. A QF knockout awaits this flawed coach and team imo. We're only discussing who is the best Wallaby Flyhalf option atm out of a very ordinary bunch - QC, Foley or CL. Imo Quade has been the best of of these 3 so far but.............. form is probly all irrelevant cos if Cheika gets his way Foley will be no 10 :)
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Give him the gold 8 Robbo?????
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Interesting selection there Sam. I believe that Meakes prefers 13, so it may just come to pass.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Thanks for your response Riddler. I agree that the Rebels are suffering from something in the leadership group. That’s all I can put it down to. That and Genia’s fatigue, perhaps has led to some loss of composure. Wessels hasn’t yet got his selections/rotations/captains right. But we are all only guessing, especially those who want to slate home the blame to one player.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
BF, I confess some overstatement with regard to Quade’s contribution to the Rebels attack. I was running off info by others who I thought were better sighted for the Philip try. I admit that, in addressing the petty nit-picking of those who derive sick pleasure from counting every jay walk and sneeze from the Rebels 10, I have over stated my case. However there were 23 Rebels players yesterday who lost a game against a top notch Canes side. It was Hodge’s job to nail Laumape in the first half. How did he go with that? Similar with DHP. The 10 made a few errors, but shut down at least one try threat with a brilliant catch and kick, whilst weaving and managing attacking charges towards the Canes line. He was in the thick of those three tries, which were an achievement against the competition’s second best team. I am not declaring this as a brilliant 10 performance but calling it ‘poor’, as a few have here, is ridiculously myopic.