West the wizard goes out a hero
TAKE a bow Ihaia West! A late replacement in the Hurricanes starting XV for last night’s week 8 Super Rugby clash, West, finished the match as he has so often for the Hawke’s Bay Magpies since his 2012 first class debut . . . the hero. Five minutes into injury time West, who replaced All Black pivot Beauden Barrett after he was ruled out with a strained quad, slotted a conversion from wide out to secure the Hurricanes their 38-37 victory.
It was typical West after the nailbiting thriller. Instead of focusing on his contribution West told the 12,902 spectators the victory was a reflection of the character within the Canes environment.
“But you’re right. It was a good sendoff for me,” he added referring to the fact it was his last match on Napier’s McLean Park before taking up a three-year deal at a yetto-be named French club after the Super season.
West said before the match he would dedicate his minutes to his Havelock North club life member and Magpies great Hepa Paewai who died in February after a battle with cancer. Paewai would have been proud with West’s contribution apart from an early missed conversion attempt and knock on in the 13th minute.
West finished the match with six successes from seven attempts at goal and would have got the thumbs up from Barrett afterwards for super option taking and running of the backline.
The Sharks deserve praise for their contribution to the spectacle, particularly their outstanding defence in the second half when they kept the Canes tryless for 43 minutes.
Although disappointed with the loss Sharks captain, lock Ruan Botha, was proud of the manner in which his lads “got stuck in.”
Before the match there was plenty of talk suggesting McLean Park surface wasn’t up to standard to host a Super Rugby match in the wake of cricket fixture staged at the venue less than a fortnight before kickoff. If the park was shoddy the standard of play from both teams certainly wasn’t.
West was spot on. The character within the Hurricanes team is top shelf. The manner in which they won last night will serve them well at the business end of the season.
The Sharks applied the early pressure and were rewarded with a handy penalty kick from first five-eighth Robert du Preez in the third minute. The Hurricanes took the lead in the seventh minute with a try to fullback Jordie Barrett who again proved why he is almost as classy as his brother.
A clever flick pass from West put second five-eighth Ngani Laumape over for a try in the 15th minute. West added the conversion and the Canes led 12-3.
Superb continuity from the Sharks resulted in a try to centre Lukhanyo Am in the 20th minute which du Preez converted to keep the visitors in the hunt.
Soft defence from the Canes allowed Sharks halfback Louis Schreuder to score in the 24th minute. Du Preez was again on target with the extras, his 16th consecutive success at goal in two matches in New Zealand.
A clever kick from West behind the Sharks defensive line set centre Vince Aso away on a 76 metre run to the goalline in the 30th minute. West slotted the conversion and the Canes were back in front.
Another penalty from du Preez had the Sharks ahead 20-19 after 33 minutes. The Canes were guilty of kicking too much ball away and Am had his second try in the 35th minute and with du Preez adding the extras the Sharks led 27-19 at halftime.
Two penalties from West in the 43rd and 50th minutes had the Canes back in contention. Another du Preez penalty in the 53rd minute had the Sharks ahead 30-25.
A 36-metre penalty from West helped the hosts cause. But a converted try to Sharks substitute forward Tyler Paul in the 74th minute had the visitors ahead 37-28.
Another handy penalty from West had the Canes trailing by six with three minutes remaining. Laumape scored his second try in the 84th minute which West converted to secure the win.
The Hurricanes Development team beat their Chiefs counterparts 40-10 in the curtainraiser.
Hawke’s Bay outside back J J Taulagi scored two tries for the hosts.
Fellow Magpies wider training squad members, fullback Danny Toala and first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie, kicked the conversions with four and one respectively.
Second five-eighth Peter Umaga-Jensen, centre Billy Proctor, winger Te Rangatira Waitokia and prop Sione Asi scored the Hurricanes’ other fivepointers.