Hurricanes
47
Match Complete
Chiefs
19
| B. Barrett |  | 74 | ||
| S. Rayasi |  | 73 | ||
| B. Barrett | | 57 | ||
| A. Savea | | 55 | ||
| W. Goosen | | 50 | ||
| 43 | | M. McKenzie | ||
| 42 | | L. Boshier | ||
| B. Barrett | | 32 | ||
| T. Perenara | | 31 | ||
| 28 | | A. Moeakiola | ||
| 25 | | M. McKenzie | ||
| 23 | | L. Jacobson | ||
| B. Barrett | | 17 | ||
| K. Leaupepe | | 16 | ||
| B. Barrett | | 7 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 6 | ||
| B. Barrett | | 3 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 3 |
| 7 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 6 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Hurricanes will welcome their conference rivals the Chiefs to Westpac Stadium on Saturday evening as Round 11 of Super Rugby continues. It’s pretty much do or die time for the Chiefs so expect fireworks as the visitors look to keep their season alive. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of this exciting clash starting from 5:35pm AEST.
Unfortunately for the traveling Chiefs, a difficult game against one of the top teams in the competition has gotten harder with arguably their two best players out.
Damian McKenzie is obviously still out injured and heroic All Black Brodie Retallick is on one of his mandated rest weeks.
Considering the awesome lock was out last week with injury, the enforced rest this week isn’t a bad thing as it should help his recovery – however a well-rested Retallick won’t be as important if he’s fighting fit for games that no longer really matter.
There is some good news for the Chiefs as they have an improved front row with Angus Ta’avao returning to his preferred side of the scrum and international hooker, Nathan Harris back in after missing out last week’s loss to the Lions.
While the Hurricanes have been picking up the wins this season – six wins from nine games and just two losses – they have not been anywhere near as impressive as many expected.
In five of their six wins they’ve won by six points or fewer – that’s not like a team that includes attacking weapons like both Beauden and Jordie Barrett, Ngani Laumape, Chase Tiatia and TJ Perenara.
The reality is that the men from Wellington just haven’t quite clicked yet this year as a team. They have had individuals playing well for sure – Ardie Savea for example is having one of the best seasons of his career – but it’s as a unit that they haven’t come together yet.
Both Barretts and Savea missed last week’s match against the Sunwolves and so expect to see them fresh and eager. Tiatia will want to impress on the wing where he replaces Ben Lam who picked up a leg injury on the road in Round 10.
The good news for the Chiefs is that they Canes have not been able to find that seamless rhythm so far this season and can be vulnerable.
However the bad news for the Chiefs is that even though the Canes have not found that rhythm, they have still been finding ways to win. If they do click in this game then the Chiefs could be in for a very long night.
Prediction
The Canes have been desperate to impress over the past few weeks and against a weakened Chiefs side that is low on confidence, form and missing key talent, the home side are going to fancy their chances.
The Canes will still need to put in a strong forwards performance to set a platform to unleash their backs but look to see Beauden Barrett force the Chiefs back early and pounce on any mistakes.
Hurricanes to win by 12 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:35pm AEST on Saturday.
Where: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Date: Saturday 26th April 2019
When: 5:35pm AEST
TV: Foxsports
Betting: Hurricanes $1.22, Chiefs $4.25
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Referee: Mike Fraser, Brendon Pickerill
TMO: Shane McDermott
Hurricanes
15 Jordie Barrett
14 Wes Goosen
13 Matt Proctor
12 Ngani Laumape
11 Chase Tiatia
10 Beauden Barrett
9 TJ Perenara (c)
8 Reed Prinsep
7 Ardie Savea
6 Vaea Fifita
5 Kane Le’aupepe
4 James Blackwell
3 Ben May
2 Asafo Aumua
1 Fraser Armstrong
Replacements
16 Ricky Riccitelli
17 Xavier Numia
18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
19 Isaia Walker-Leawere
20 Sam Henwood
21 Richard Judd
22 James Marshall
23 Salesi Rayasi
Chiefs
15 Solomon Alaimalo
14 Sean Wainui
13 Tumua Manu
12 Anton Lienert-Brown
11 Ataata Moeakiola
10 Marty McKenzie
9 Brad Weber
8 Tyler Ardron
7 Lachlan Boshier
6 Luke Jacobson
5 Mitchell Brown
4 Michael Allardice (c)
3 Angus Ta’avao
2 Nathan Harris
1 Atu Moli
Replacements
16 Liam Polwart
17 Tevita Mafileo
18 Sosefo Kautai
19 Taleni Seu
20 Jesse Parete
21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
22 Stephen Donald
23 Alex Nankivell
2019 Form
Hurricanes – WWLWD
Chiefs – LWWWD
Played 34
Hurricanes won 17
Chiefs won 15
Drawn 2
CUW
Roar Rookie
i was not happy with the interpretation of TJP try. he was either over the line so 5m scrum for ball held up or else he is in play and holding onto the ball , maybe penalty for holding on or they play the ball. in the second half similar scene with JB - but only 5m scrum , ball held up. also can some LAW expert tell me if a ref can change his decision after seeing a replay on the screen ?? Hurricanes scrum in 2nd half 5m from Chiefs line. Chiefs scrum half slap the ball off TJP's hands Rasta did not see it - touchie calls it a knock on then Rasta calls for a scrum when players getting ready for scrum he sees the replay on the screen and calls it a penalty. i thought that was wrong. if the refs are allowed to do that - then every time a decision is made there is a replay on screen and then he will look at it and maybe change the decision. never happens in cricket .
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Yeah agree they had little spark in the backs or open play and had no real power up front either. Reality is they are an average to good side with some stars who they really miss and can't cope without.
Julz
Guest
Hurricanes made it easy against an understrength team, but once they face the Crusaders, they look like amateurs, and the Crusaders makes it easy against them. Jordie was great, but man those were some average players he was running circles around. I hope he does the same in the All Blacks now he might be taking that vital bench spot. Ardie if he keeps playing like this, he might ends up starting for the ABs.
Michael
Guest
Thanks for the blog, Oliver! Some cracking rugby played by the Canes. Chiefs seem to struggle without D-Mac.
Jimmy
Roar Rookie
Great game! Happy to see the Canes finally clicking. Perenara, JB, BBBBB and Ardie all looking very good.
Oliver Matthews
Expert
FINAL SCORE!! The Hurricanes have easily beaten the Chiefs 47 to 19 in Wellington. The Canes got out to a fast start and got out to 21-0 after just 18 minutes and the Chiefs were just never able to come back from that. The visitors did fight hard but they just never really looked like they could dominate the home side and whenever the Chiefs did something well, the Canes would strike back almost immediately. The Chiefs had a lot of ball and territory but they just couldn't convert that into real pressure or points. The Canes look like they are getting better and better and will be happy with that performance tonight. They were clinical when they got their chances and never looked like losing from about 10 minutes in. They seem comfortable defending for long periods which is impressive and while they weren't faultless, they will be happy with 47 points and only conceding 19. This could really be the end of the season for the Chiefs - they are in real trouble and without key talent they are going to struggle. Thanks for getting involved and hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend's games here on The Roar! Hurricanes: 47 Chiefs: 19 Time: 80:00
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Final hooter sounds and Canes just put it out into touch to wrap up the win. Hurricanes: 47 Chiefs: 19 Time: 80:00
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Chiefs rolling maul goes nowhere and so they look to move it through the backs but the runners have got their timings all wrong and Stephen Donald has given a forward pass there in the end. Just too messy from the Chiefs. Canes scrum just inside their own half in the middle of the field - one more try? Hurricanes: 47 Chiefs: 19 Time: 79:10
Oliver Matthews
Expert
PENALTY!! Chiefs scrum just inside their own half and they earn a penalty for a Canes pre engage. McKenzie goes to touch and this one he finds - Chiefs line out about 35m from the Canes line. Hurricanes: 47 Chiefs: 19 Time: 78:10
Danny
Roar Pro
Yes Chiefs have injuries etc etc but this bloodbath falls squarely at the feet of Colin Cooper.
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Canes win their scrum but then they knock on in the next phase and the Chiefs will have the scrum. Just 3 minutes to go - can the Chiefs end on a high and try and salvage a bit of pride? Hurricanes: 47 Chiefs: 19 Time: 77:10
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Final 5 minutes of the game and the Chiefs still struggling to make their possession count. They knock on again and the Canes will have the scrum in midfield just inside their own half. Hurricanes: 47 Chiefs: 19 Time: 75:30
74
73
Oliver Matthews
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL!!! Beauden has done so well in the strong winds tonight. Hurricanes: 47 Chiefs: 19 Time: 74:30
Oliver Matthews
Expert
TRY!!! Salesi Rayasi has scored on debut!! He got the ball - his second touch in Super Rugby - with a man outside him and two defenders to beat. He just went straight through the gap between the two Chiefs and has gotten his first score! Hurricanes: 45 Chiefs: 19 Time: 74:00
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Canes backs are spread wide so Chiefs have to match - there's a lot of space to attack here for the home side. They win the scrum and keep it tight for now while Goosen waits out on the far wing. Hurricanes: 40 Chiefs: 19 Time: 73:40
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Chiefs in real trouble here - they were trying to deal with a bouncing ball near their own touch line but then Beauden kicked it ahead in the confusion. The Chiefs re gathered it just in front of their own line but the Canes defence was there and kept tackling and forcing the ball carrier back over the try line. Great pressure from the Canes there and they've earned themselves a 5m scrum. Hurricanes: 40 Chiefs: 19 Time: 71:40
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Chiefs scrum is ok but then they loose the ball straight after and the Canes will have the scrum. 10 minutes to go - let's hope it's a good final period to the match. Hurricanes: 40 Chiefs: 19 Time: 69:40
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Forward pass from the Canes and so we'll have another scrum - this time for the Chiefs. The game has really dropped in terms of intensity and quality - it's very stop start and neither side can take control. Hurricanes: 40 Chiefs: 19 Time: 69:10