The Hurricanes gained huge impact from their bench, rallying from 24-7 down at halftime to beat the Blues 29-24 in their final Super Rugby regular season clash.
Having already qualified for the playoffs and already being assured of fourth place and a home quarterfinal regardless of the outcome of Friday’s contest, the Hurricanes started an inexperienced combination.
The line-up was third string, and some of the starting backline had played fewer minutes in Super Rugby than the numbers on their backs.
The Blues took advantage and scored three first half tries through centre Taniela Tele’a, winger Caleb Clarke and fullback Melani Nanai.
But when the Hurricanes rolled out the heavy artillery in the second half, especially halfback TJ Perenara, flanker Ardie Savea and hooker Asafo Aumua, the tide of the match turned and the Blues couldn’t score again.
Passive and defensive in the first half, the Hurricanes went on attack, camping in the Blues’ half and scoring tries through five-eighth Fletcher Smith, lock Isaia Walker-Leawere and winger Peter Umaga-Jensen.
Jackson Garden-Bachop then kicked a late penalty to clinch the Hurricanes’ 12th win of the regular season.
“It was a bit of a tale of two halves, that’s for sure,” Hurricanes captain Dane Coles said.
“I’m just proud of the young lads. We threw some of the guys in the deep end and it wasn’t pretty in the first half. But the way they responded with a bit of a rev-up at halftime … it was a good way to finish the round-robin.”
All Blacks midfield back Sonny Bill Williams returned to action for the Blues after an almost 10-week absence with a knee injury but produced a quiet performance.
For the Leon MacDonald-coached Blues, their 10th defeat was a fitting ending for another season of dashed expectations.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
I am ashamed to be a Blues fan Today. It's the gutless manner of the loss that galls. Congrats to Digger and other Canes fans; what a comeback...
Ben
Guest
I thought start of season this would be the season for the Blues, a renaissance. With new coaches, Coventry highly regarded etc. Then 1st game, a game they shoulda won at home v Crusaders, but for a missed handy last minute penalty, my thoughts were underlined. A couple of wins and some away wins for once were some positives but the back half of the season was same ol same ol. Tradesmen at halfback and two 1st 5s who really are NPC level. The crowning glory was really that wimp of an effort in the 2nd half vs a Hurricanes B team. Coach after coach after coach for 15 years and no improvement. You really gotta say the problem has to go much deeper in Blues rugby. If you were to identify 1 player who mirrors the Blues season Akira Ioane would be it. Started the season a fringe AB. Looked the real deal, some good performances. But as the season went on he faded into obscurity until in the last few games you wondered if he was playing. They really are nz rugbys basket case.....
Ben
Guest
If you look at that Canes team Saturday night, there was a snapshot of the future of the Hurricanes. Great call playing them all and investing in a future plan by playing them. Rayasi Umaga-Jensen Toloa Garden-Bachop Kirifi Leaware-Walker Leaupepe. Thats future proofing. Where is the future of the Blues?
Ben
Guest
Digger will be miffed to have missed such a good win, because the Canes didnt field the players he wanted to see.....
Neel
Roar Guru
Geez. Another loss for the Blues.