Hurricanes
29
Match Complete
Chiefs
35
| 75 |  | D. McKenzie | ||
| 74 |  | L. Jacobson | ||
| J. Barrett |  | 73 | ||
| 67 | | D. McKenzie | ||
| 65 | | N. A. Kuoi | ||
| 58 | | D. McKenzie | ||
| 57 | | B. Weber | ||
| 56 | | D. McKenzie | ||
| 56 | | C. Tiatia | ||
| J. Barrett | | 37 | ||
| S. Rayasi | | 36 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 23 | ||
| S. Rayasi | | 21 | ||
| R. Riccitelli | | 15 | ||
| 13 | | D. McKenzie | ||
| 12 | | K. Trask | ||
| J. Barrett | | 11 | ||
| L. Campbell | | 10 |
| 4 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 5 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Hurricanes welcome the Chiefs to Wellington in what is a crucial, bottom of the table clash as Super Rugby Aotearoa Round 4 kicks off. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of what promises to be a thrilling match starting from 17:00 AEDT on Saturday.
It’s been a tough start to the season for both sides. Both are winless so far in the 2021 competition and both team’s defences have been leaking far too many points – an average of over 30 per game.
Both sides are full of talent but all eyes will be on the battle at flyhalf today where two debutant Orbyn Leger for the Hurricanes will go up against 22-year-old Kaleb Trask, who has just five Super Rugby games under his belt.
Besides Leger, the Canes have made a few other changes to the starting line-up with Luke Campbell, Salesi Rayasi and Billy Proctor in the backs and Xavier Numia up front all getting the chance to get the home side off to a strong start.
Meanwhile, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has also made five changes to his starting side. Up front Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Aidan Ross have moved from the bench to the run-on side and then in the backs, along with Trask, we’ll get to see Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown and Jonah Lowe.
The Chiefs are on a very bad run of form and are facing the reality that they could set a new record for the worst-ever losing streak. They will be desperate to stop this terrible run but will have to win the battle up front before they can look to unleash their backs.
Prediction
These two teams might be on the bottom of the table but that doesn’t mean there isn’t incredible talent within their ranks. The key however is going to be the battle up front and defence – the Canes are going to edge it here and the Chiefs will pick up another L.
Hurricanes by 5.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of what promises to be a thrilling match starting from 17:00 AEDT on Saturday.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEDT)
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Hurricanes $1.58, Chiefs $2.38 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Hurricanes
Jordie Barrett, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Salesi Rayasi, Orbyn Leger, Luke Campbell, Ardie Savea (c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Ricky Riccitelli, Xavier Numia
Reserves: James O’Reilly, Fraser Armstrong, Tevita Mafileo, Liam Mitchell, Devan Flanders, Jonathan Taumateine, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Wes Goosen
Chiefs
Damian McKenzie, Jonah Lowe, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Kaleb Trask, Brad Weber (cc), Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane, Mitchell Brown, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Angus Ta’avao, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross
Reserves: Bradley Slater, Oliver Norris, Joe Apikotoa, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Alex Nankivell, Chase Tiatia
Drew
Roar Rookie
Just watched on replay. Great game that highlights the need to play the full 80mins. Hurricanes 9/10 just not where it’s been in the past. Positive is Laumape is looking good and Ardie is in fine form. McKenzie is looking to be back to his best post his leg injury.
moaman
Roar Guru
Oh I do! The inner pedant in me is constantly trying to bust out. :shocked:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Just getting a bit cheeky Moa. I agree spelling a person’s name correctly is a small but significant respect. To be clear, I have to stand on my tongue at times to keep the inner pedant in check what with all the you’re =your, and they’re = their going on. I’m sure you know what I mean Mooa.
moaman
Roar Guru
Wasn't intended to come across like that mate---I just appreciate it when people make an effort to get names right....and also I thought the excellent running commentary warranted a compliment or two.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Yeah Ardie is nt the AB 7
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Are you giving out spelling bouquets now Moa? I can think of a few deserved brickbats out there in the bleaches.
moaman
Roar Guru
Our patience was rewarded! :stoked:
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
He'd certainly be a great impact player, and we need one. Problem is, of our loosies I think only he and Cane can properly go 80 at a high level in a big test. And with the test game speeding up, you need a wide channel loosie.
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
Wow, what a comeback from the Chiefs. Good to see DMac get a lot more involved in this game too. A well deserved win.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Looks like a great comeback. Congrats to the Chiefs.
Highlander
Roar Guru
Got bench written all over him for mine He’s not an eight at test level, not tough enough, no lineout Impact off the pine every time though
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Cheers mate. Great last 20 anyway!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Totally different players, Cane undroppable for the All Blacks, gets through so much. Ardie needs two workhorses around him (rotate Squire, Akira and Frizzell at 6), but will be suited by the new reffing interpretations and win matches. Goes the full 80 too.
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Cheers man! What a final quarter!!
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Congrats mate. What a game
moaman
Roar Guru
Sterling work on the commentary, spelling,descriptions etc Oliver. Congrats to you too :thumbup:
Oliver Matthews
Expert
FINAL SCORE Hurricanes: 29 Chiefs: 35 The Chiefs have pulled off an incredible win to break their Super Rugby Aotearoa duck and have broken Hurricanes hearts. They were 26 - 7 down at half time and have somehow scored 28 points in the second half and only conceded 3!! A crazy game that looked like it was heading towards a messy, boring second half absolutely came to live and the Chiefs will be so happy with that win. The Canes dominated the scoreboard in the first half and seemed to score pretty comfortably when they had the ball. The Chiefs gave away too many penalties and the Canes attacking players made holes and gained ground with ease. The Chiefs set piece was better than last week but they lacked any real penetration in attack and that combined with poor discipline meant that everyone was pretty sure we were looking at another Chiefs loss. They were 19 points down with just 25 minutes to go and somehow came back. They cut out the mistakes and the poor discipline and suddenly started to make things happen, McKenzie was involved a lot in all the best things that they did but there were good performances from others too in that final quarter of the game. Chase Tiatia was a super sub scoring the first try of the comeback and then setting up the second and his energy and pace really set the Canes a challenge they couldn't cope with. Sam Cane made some brave decisions going for touch instead of posts when the Chiefs were on a roll proved crucial. The Canes tried to fight their way back and even took the lead with a stunning long range penalty goal from Jordie Barrett but the Chiefs weren't done. The final try was simple but so sweet for Chiefs fans as the forwards got the better of their rivals and scored the winning points as Jacobson went over with 6 minutes to go. One of the key battles was in the fly half slot where both teams had inexperienced players looking to guide their teams. For the first 55 minutes the Canes were able to support and protect their more junior #10 well but as McKenzie took more of a role at first receiver for the Chiefs the game started to turn. Kaleb Trask had a tough game with some crucial mistakes that cost his team points, but McKenzie and Tiatia brought some real edge and pace to the Chiefs attack and punished the Canes. The home side will be heart broken - losing this one from having had a 19 point lead at home, with just 25 minutes to go and somehow lost out. That will be hard to swallow and the Monday review session will be brutal. The key of course for the Chiefs is that they do this again next week - they have got to build on this wonderful win. For the Canes - well they are in trouble. 3 games and 3 losses and this last one will sting.
Highlander
Roar Guru
What is Highlander thinking about Ardie Savea right now? Same as always Not enough work, in the right places, at the right times. Compare that to Cane tonight, everywhere you expected him to be, and more.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Nick Bishop told me that DMac should go to ten and Tiatia 15... The bloke knows what he's talking about! I didn't see that coming! What a massive relief. Well done boys!
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
What a turnaround. Did not see that one coming at halftime. Very entertaining game to watch. How much was Chief mana and how much was the Canes just being totally hopeless in the second half? (what happened Digger?) Big congrats to Jacko, JDKiwi, and all other Chiefs fans. That was one sweet tasting win. What is Highlander thinking about Ardie Savea right now?