Canes clinch win with late flurry
Few saw this coming.
Most pundits predicted the Hurricanes would secure a bonus point win in Wellington, but not that the score would be tied at 22- 22 with just 15 minutes to run and that the home side would be all at sea offensively.
As it transpired, they scored three late tries to blow out the final scoreline, which was flattering to them. But they have moved back into second place in the New Zealand conference, at least until the Chiefs ( probably) beat the Reds tonight.
The Stormers, having leaked 57 points in each of their last t wo outings on New Zealand shores, decided to muscle up on defence and pour some set- piece heat on the Hurricanes.
The lineout drive was a weapon. Marshalled by captain Siya Kolisi, the visitors kicked their goals, made their tackles and forced the Hurricanes into errors and persistent infringements for which referee Glen Jackson pinged them mercilessly.
Much of the pre- match talk was about the size of the Stormers pack, and they certainly drained the home forwards of energy. The Hurricanes backs could get little productive going, though Ngani Laumape’s brace raised him to 11 for the season, leading the competition.
As it was, the Beauden Barrett cross- kick was again the Hurricanes’ most potent attacking weapon, yielding three first half tries and one in the second, in the process exposing the short Stormers backline defence line.
Jordie Barrett struggled off the tee, but scored two tries and showed his full array of skills, which included stripping Stormers flanker Nizaam Carr of the ball for a bizarre try in the in- goal. Maybe now is the time, however, to hand back the tee to his older brother.
If Brad Shields is not featuring in All Blacks loose forward conversations, then he should be. The industrious No 6 powered through the work and was a sought after presence at No 2 in the lineout as the Hurricanes looked good for patches of the first half before falling off their game. He also played a small but important part in the first try, to right wing Cory Jane, charging down a clearance and tapping the ball on to second- five Laumape. However, he copped a second half yellow card for collapsing a Stormers maul. But with injuries to Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino, Shields is keeping his name out there.
Next Saturday, the Hurricanes travel to Christchurch to face the Crusaders, while the Stormers, still well atop the Africa 1 conference, will regroup on the bye week. Hurricanes 41 ( Jordie Barrett 2, Ngani Laumape 2, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett tries; Jordie Barrett 3 cons) Stormers 22 ( Ramone Samuels try; Robert du Preez con, pen; SP Marais 4 pens). Halftime: 22- 16. this season with SBW and Moala back in the race alongside Ngani Laumape, Rob Thompson and after an exploratory few games at lower level, Ngatai in his Super Rugby comeback tonight for the Chiefs.
He reunites with Lienert- Brown in a Chiefs side which has wobbled in recent weeks but with a few changes look more threatening for their duel with the Reds in New Plymouth. It’s a provincial homecoming for Ngatai who also captained the NZ Maori side and the start of what could be a welltimed return.
Presumptuous for sure, but if Ngatai is back on Super Rugby duty in anything like his form last season he has to be in the All Black mix.
He brought all the qualities for the position and the best out of LienertBrown. While other second fives had their skittery moments, Ngatai exuded a presence in midfield and the sort of sense and low error rate which make Crotty such a high- quality competitor.
In a few games, if Ngatai stays intact, we will start to see some answers. The Chiefs will have a better all- round look and balance about their backline because he will offer a balance for Aaron Cruden to use and an experienced direction for those on his outside.
It has been a long wait for the Chiefs, their supporters and the All Black staff but it must have been double that anxiety for Ngatai and his whanau. Life on the sideline was not in his plans. He could always find something else but if the medics agreed, it would be great to have another go. That patience has been answered. Now we’ll wait to see if there’s a bigger dividend.
If Ngatai is back on Super Rugby duty in anything like his form last season he has to be in the All Black mix.