Hurricanes
38
Match Complete
Sharks
22
| 68 |  | M. Majola | ||
| J. Barrett |  | 65 | ||
| D. Coles | | 64 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 51 | ||
| B. Lam | | 50 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 44 | ||
| B. Lam | | 43 | ||
| 34 |  | S. Nohamba | ||
| J. Barrett | | 28 | ||
| N. Laumape | | 27 | ||
| 25 | | S. Nohamba | ||
| 23 | | T. Paul | ||
| J. Barrett | | 22 | ||
| W. Goosen | | 20 | ||
| 13 | | B. Chamberlain | ||
| 12 | | M. Tambwe | ||
| J. Barrett | | 6 |
| 5 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Both coming off wins away from home, the Hurricanes and Sharks will fancy their chances of a win when they meet in Wellington tonight. Join The Roar for live scores from 5:05pm (AEDT).
The Sharks have been one of the form sides of the competition, having notched consecutive wins against the Bulls and Highlanders in back-to-back weeks. With the latter coming on the road in New Zealand, tonight’s away trip against the Hurricanes might not be as daunting as previously expected.
As for the home team, after being woeful in a scoreless Round 1 performance, they turned things around nicely last weekend with an underdog victory over the Jaguares in Argentina.
Jordie Barrett, now playing out of his brother’s shadow following Beauden’s move to the Blues, was superb. Not only did he nail a mammoth penalty from well over 60 metres out, he stuck a crucial try-saver to help seal the three-point win.
The news gets better for the Canes tonight, with All Blacks hooker Dane Coles set for his first appearance of the season, albeit from the bench.
Even without Beauden Barrett in their midst, the Hurricanes still boast a formidable backline headed by skipper TJ Perenara, Jordie Barrett, Ngani Laumape and try-scoring machine Ben Lam.
If there’s one weakness there, though, it comes at a crucial position. Jackson Gardon-Bachop is still finding his feet as a Super Rugby player – look for the Sharks to look to exploit the 25-year-old flyhalf.
Prediction
With neither side possessing an incredible forward pack but both with plenty of tryscoring ability in their ranks, this could be an entertaining encounter. The Hurricanes and Sharks are both coming off good wins, but we’ll go with the home side to win today.
Hurricanes to edge a tight match.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEDT)
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Hurricanes $1.35, Sharks $3.25
Hurricanes squad
15. Jordie Barrett, 14. Wes Goosen, 13. Vince Aso, 12. Ngani Laumape, 11. Ben Lam, 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9. TJ Perenara (c), 8. Reed Prinsep, 7. Gareth Evans, 6. Vaea Fifita, 5. Scott Scrafton, 4. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 2. Asafo Aumua, 1. Fraser Armstrong
Reserves
16. Dane Coles, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Alex Fidow, 19. Liam Mitchell, 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21. Jamie Booth, 22. Fletcher Smith, 23. Billy Proctor
Chiefs squad
15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Madosh Tambwe, 13. Lukhanyo Am (c), 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Boeta Chamberlain, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Sikumbuzo Notshe, 7. Tyler Paul, 6. James Venter, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Ox Nche
Reserves
16. Craig Burden, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. John-Hubert Meyer, 19. Le Roux Roets, 20. Dylan Richardson, 21. Phendulani Buthelezi, 22. Sanele Nohamba, 23. Jeremy Ward
Luke Warrener
Guest
I think the Sharks are going to struggle this year because their scrum, which is normally a powerhouse is weak and unless something radical is done to sort out this problem I think it will become a long unfruitful season for the Sharks. I am a Sharks supporter
Double Agent
Guest
Dane Coles is just a disgrace. He is a blight on the normally impeccable behaviour of New Zealand's Rugby players. I wonder if he thinks he's playing Rugby League in Sydney in the 1970s where anything goes. Someone needs t tell him to pull his head in.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Sharks are a very solid side but as long as you do the basics well and kick behind them you might have a chance. Lam's x-factor was the difference. Sharks will go deep into the season ...
Machpants
Roar Guru
We won that season
OtakiCraig
Roar Rookie
I remember a few seasons ago the Hurricanes getting pasted in their first game against the brumbies, still made the finals then too
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Solid performance by the Canes in the second half. The Sharks were not slick enough to get the job done.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Lol. Like I said before this game. With one eye going home ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
Neutral, you think Sharks still have a shot at winning this?
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43
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
They are still looking pretty sharp with ball in hand. Can they just survive set pieces in the second half and avoid more injuries on backs, they have a great shot winning this.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
31 minutes and the Sharks have no more reserves!! And they started with a different front row and no Curwin Bosch at 10!! What's going on!? I can't recall the last time when all players went off injured, not least in the first half.
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