Perhaps this was the loss the tired Canes needed
Nothing summed up the Hurricanes’ 27-19 loss to the Brumbies more than Northland midfielder Tamati Tua bursting through James O’Reilly and Isaia Walker-Leawere before outflanking TJ Perenara for a firsthalf try.
After emptying the tank in a brutal game against the Fijian Drua in Suva last week, the Hurricanes looked like they were running on fumes on Canberra yesterday afternoon, and their first loss of the season fairly reflected the Brumbies’ superiority.
The physicality that had been the signature of their campaign to date was missing, the skills weren’t quite as sharp, and injured hooker Asafo Aumua’s absence was keenly felt.
O’Reilly’s afternoon went from bad to worse as he was bulldozed by Brumbies and Wallabies No 8 Rob Valetini midway through the first half.
After that collision, he needed an HIA and didn’t return. Youngster Raymond Tuputupu showed his raw power when he came on, but the Hurricanes lack depth at hooker compared to the likes of the Blues and the Crusaders.
Perhaps this was the loss that the Hurricanes had to have. Very few teams go through a campaign unbeaten and getting a bloody nose at some point tends to concentrate minds.
The Hurricanes’ coaches certainly will not be hitting the panic buttons, although they will be expecting a response against the Waratahs in Wellington next Friday.
One player whose standards didn’t drop was loosehead Xavier Numia, both at the set-piece and around the field.
He scored twice from close range and at one stage the Hurricanes No 1 actually lifted Allan Alaalatoa up into the air at scrum time.
Granted, the Brumbies and Wallabies tighthead was making his first appearance since the serious Achilles injury he suffered in a Bledisloe test last year, but it was still quite the statement by Numia.
However, Brad Shields, Du’Plessis
Kirifi and Brayden lost the loose forward battle against the Brumbies, with Valetini particularly damaging for the home side.
Salesi Rayasi was also muted in the No 11 jersey, while No 14 Kini Naholo looks far better suited to the left wing.
As for Brumbies No 12 Tua, his performance might attract some attention in New Zealand.
The 26-year-old has been one of the Brumbies’ best performers for the past two years, but if he wants to give the All Blacks a crack he’ll have to return to New Zealand.
He’s contracted to the Brumbies for 2024, but there are arguably two Super Rugby teams in the South Island who could do with a hard-running No 12 in his prime.
Meanwhile Blues veteran Bryce Heem, 35, can’t go on forever in Auckland.
The Brumbies have done a great job in polishing some of his rougher edges, but his pace and the power in his carries really stood out in the Australian capital.
He carried the fight to the Hurricanes for the full 80 minutes, and for the first time this season they didn’t have the answers.