Hurricanes
25
Match Complete
Crusaders
39
| 75 |  | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 74 |  | D. Havili | ||
| 69 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 68 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| J. Garden-Bachop | | 64 | ||
| A. Aumua | | 62 | ||
| 57 |  | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 49 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| J. Garden-Bachop | | 43 | ||
| J. Garden-Bachop | | 35 | ||
| 31 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 30 | | J. Goodhue | ||
| J. Garden-Bachop |  | 30 | ||
| J. Garden-Bachop | | 27 | ||
| J. Garden-Bachop | | 17 | ||
| 13 | | B. Ennor | ||
| J. Garden-Bachop | | 6 | ||
| 2 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 0 | | S. Reece |
| 1 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 5 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 1 | Field Goals | 0 |
Despite a demoralising 30-20 loss last weekend, the Hurricanes are expected to draw more than 22,000 along to their match-up with the Crusaders tonight. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 1:35pm (AEST).
A sloppy lineout and a masterclass from Blues flyhalf Otere Black saw the Hurricanes go down in front of a capacity crowd in Auckland last weekend, now they’ll have to improve big time in order to compete with the best team in domestic rugby.
While coming off a loss is never a good thing, the Canes’ opponents had a bye in Round 1, meaning they haven’t played since March, which will play a part early on.
The Hurricanes weren’t too far from the mark for the most part, although the lineout was a real issue, and they zoned out for much of the second half.
The Crusaders, prior to the regular Super Rugby season being suspended, found themselves in a very familiar position: on top of the table, with five wins from seven encounters, and two from three against Kiwi opposition.
Despite the three-month break, the Crusaders’ form in those games has made them heavy favourites in this one, a fact which makes sense when you consider the Saders have won their last five against today’s hosts.
In team news, Vaea Fifita comes in for Scott Scrafton and Ardie Savea starts at number 8 after making an appearance off the bench last weekend.
Jordie Barrett will miss a second straight game with a nagging shoulder injury. Chase Tiatia will start at fullback again.
For the Crusaders, normal skipper Scott Barrett has been ruled out with a foot injury, so Codie Taylor will take over the captaincy. Sam Whitelock also slides into the forward pack.
Prediction
It could go either way. The Crusaders will deservedly start favourites, but this is by no means out of reach for the Hurricanes. However, to win they’ll need to clean up the lineout and give away as few penalties as possible.
Crusaders by nine.
Game information
Kick-off: 1:35pm (AEST)
Venue: Sky Stadium
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Betting: Crusaders $1.41, Hurricanes $3
Teams
Hurricanes
Fraser Armstrong, Dane Coles (c), Tyrel Lomax, James Blackwell, Vaea Fifita, Reed Prinsep, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara (c), Jackson Garden-Bachop, Ben Lam, Ngani Laumape, Vince Aso, Wes Goosen, Chase Tiatia
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Ben May, Alex Fidow, Scott Scrafton, Gareth Evans, Jamie Booth, Billy Proctor, Kobus Van Wyk
Crusaders
Joe Moody, Codie Taylor (c), Michael Alaalatoa, Samuel Whitelock, Mitchell Dunshea, Cullen Grace, Billy Harmon, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Bryn Hall, Richie Mo’unga, George Bridge, Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Oliver Jager, Luke Romano, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, David Havili, Leicester Faingaanuku
In brief
Guest
New interpretations have highlighted one law that simply must change - not releasing: hands on the ball. It is legal for the tackled player to place the ball and they should not be penalised for a legal action. We need to remove the ‘reward’ penalty from the game. This is the idea that you ‘earn’ a penalty through a positive action such as hands on the ball at the tackle or a dominant scrum. Imagine applying this to other facets of the game - e.g. a penalty for a dominant tackle or line out. It is a nonsense.
Harry Jones
Expert
Garden Variety Bash-up isn’t BBBBB
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
I noticed this too. Perhaps it was just this referee's interpretation being more lenient?
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
Looks like the Blues are the only team that worked on line outs preparing for Super Ruby Aotearoa! Hurricanes really miss Jordy Barrett and to me Ardea Savea does not look like he is in form yet following his injury. But the Canes were in both games since the return against the two best teams in the competition until they faded in the final 20 minutes. The bye week will come in handy for them. Despite their numerous penalties, the Crusaders looked dangerous everytime they had the ball. Ennor's hamstring may be a concern if he is out for an extended period.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Good thing he is a bad shot.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Not just the offside. It was one of the worst ref performances in years
kiwitruck
Roar Rookie
Can anyone tell me how Goodhue was off side....he was a meter behind the last feet at the ruck and never got in front of the ball....very strange decision
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
always going to happen hopefully the canes win a few now
kiwitruck
Roar Rookie
Just watching the game again.....I would like to know what's happened to the offside from rucks???...both teams standing well offside....have the refs started to slip off this already
Uriah Heep
Roar Rookie
Most of that is ancient history. The recent history is as one sided or more than Super rugby over the same time frame.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Uriah, look at the history of provincial championships irrespective of name of comp (eg Mitre 10, Air New Zealand) stand to be corrected but I think you will find that Auckland leads Canterbury by 3 in number of titles, then also the Ranfurly Shield, the challenge trophy.
Uriah Heep
Roar Rookie
" if you look at the provincial sides of both Auckland and Canterbury, they are much closer." Hmm not really. Although that might be changing. Canterbury has only failed to make the playoffs once this century. And they've won the NPC/Mitre 11 out of 20 times including 9 of the last 12 times including 6 times in a row. With 2 of the grand finals that Canterbury weren't in having Tasman present - they being the other main Crusaders share holder and the winner last year. Auckland won 2 years ago but really they had been crap for 10 years prior to that.
Clouseau or Poirot?
Guest
Very true. The real strength of the Crusaders is that their systems have consistently developed and kept very strong players. They've retained cohesive, talented teams for most of the last two decades. All the other sides have had periods of success, but they haven't been sustained. Even now, the Saders continue to sign and promote from within, while a lot of the other sides sign more players from other franchises/abroad. That being said, if the Blues can get their systems working then they should be able to be the north island equivalent of the Crusaders. A huge rugby nursery. I still think the Blues have a not insignificant chance of winning this truncated tournament though. They look good. Very good. Combine skill with power.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Well C or P, the Crusaders have dominated SR over the past 25 years but you must remember that SR teams in NZ are a franchise with players from throughout the country scattered irrespective of their ‘province’ of birth or ‘their State of Origin’, if you look at the provincial sides of both Auckland and Canterbury, they are much closer. From a club/franchise viewpoint the culture and pedigree of the Crusaders represent the real benchmark in NZ and others are trying to catch up. From the Blues v Crusaders top lineups they IMO think they are close (not underselling Crusaders). They both have strike power all over the park. The Crusaders will be favourites (and that is earned) and any victory by the Blues would not suggest ‘they are better’ team other than ‘better on the day’ ... which they must be.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
The teams that are firing all have very good 5/8ths guiding their teams around the park. The Hurricanes have lost a lot of talent in the last 18 months but none as hurtful as seeing BBBBBBB go north up the highway. Look at how well the Blues are looking with that class and steady influence in their backs. Though tbh H.Sotuto and Big Pat T getting fit and the captaincy has played an even larger part in the Resurgence of the Blues (Good movie name). But the Blues gain is the Canes' pain. With all respects to J. Garden-Bachop, he is not in the same park compared to B.Barrett and its showing in the attack (and defence) of the Canes this year.
Clouseau or Poirot?
Guest
The main difference I see between the Blues and the Crusaders is I think the latter is a more cohesive side at this stage - players have more matches together. Otherwise, there isn't much of a difference on paper, is there? Will be fascinating to see how the Crusaders do in the coming years if the Blues return to the powerhouse the team should be.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
And don’t under estimate the Blues pack ... Scott Robertson won’t be!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
I think the Blues will be tough to beat both in Ch-ch and Auckland. They weren’t far away when beaten by the Crusaders at the beginning of this year and the Blues have improved. The ‘saders will improve too so good challenge coming up. If they okay twice more I think it will be 1 game each. If purely from the heart, you know who I think will be victorious :happy:
Clouseau or Poirot?
Guest
I really like Du'Plessis Kirifi. Think he consistently looks good in an underpowered forward pack. Wonder if he will be in a black jersey in the next couple of years. Suspect we will see another year in which the Crusaders dominate the All Blacks' ranks. But will be a tad strange to see them joined by so many Blues. Suspect with the changes in the interpretation of the breakdown laws and so many of the guys like Savea, Mounga/Barrett more experienced we may see a better All Blacks side than the last four years.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Whoot, the Sky NZ folks agree with me. So called "Yankee MotM" MVP went to W.Jordan.