Chiefs end Canes unbeaten home run
Second spot in the New Zealand conference is still far from decided after the Hurricanes were again denied by their old nemesis, the Chiefs.
It was the Hurricanes’ first home loss in over a year and raises further questions about their ability to dig themselves out of tight intraconference grinds. It might help if they started to take penalty goal attempts, having turned down two in the first spell. They were, overall, far from poor, just not always clinical. Now they lie one point clear of the Chiefs with one round to play.
Many reckon the Crusaders v Lions will be akin to a fourth test match. Well, this fixture was not far off test match intensity. It was a good ol’ fashioned knock ’ em down, drag ’ em out footy, with the likes of Anton Lienert- Brown and Brad Shields excelling in the trenches.
Sam Cane and Ardie Savea brought bruising defence and high energy. Julian Savea looked desperate for a try in his 100th match for the franchise but was denied by some equally desperate Chiefs defence.
Replacement Chiefs back Shaun Stevenson broke the 7- 7 deadlock with a searing break off a rock- solid scrum to set up James Lowe, who was top value all night. Stevenson is a smart signing by North Harbour for the Mitre 10 Cup.
Wes Goosen crossed in the corner thanks to Jordie Barrett and the Hurricanes had narrowed the score to 17- 14 with four minutes to play.
The first half kick- started at furious pace, which may have furrowed a few more brows as the Lions watched from their Christchurch hotel. There were 21 freshly named All Blacks or Maori All Blacks on show. The pace was sky- high, but the defence was as intense as one would expect in this New Zealand conference grudge match. It was tit for tat in the scrums.
Hurricanes lock Vaea Fifita, on standby for the All Blacks, ran a good line off a flat TJ Perenara pass for the opening try. But it wasn’t quite as good as the Chiefs riposte, finished by Aaron Cruden, but heavily influenced by Liam Messam and Solomon Alaimalo from the counter- attack.
Cruden, who took a knock to the knee which would have the All Blacks selectors sitting up with worry — he left the field at halftime after a midgame fitness test — had the ball knocked out of his grasp by Vince Aso when he was in the process of diving over. Damian McKenzie, who was already entrusted with the tee, slotted into the pivot position.
Both fullbacks spent plenty of time at first receiver in what was a varied attacking game by both teams.
Beauden Barrett did not get the chance to become the fourth man to reach 1000 Super Rugby points, as he relinquished goalkicking duties to younger brother Jordie.
The Hurricanes now set their sights on the Lions for their June 27 meeting, while the Chiefs will meet the Lions on June 20 in Hamilton. Their next Super Rugby games are on July 15, the final regular season round, when the Chiefs host the Brumbies, and the Hurricanes welcome the Crusaders. Chiefs 17 ( Aaron Cruden, James Lowe tries; Damian McKenzie 2 cons, pen) Hurricanes 14 ( Vaea Fifita, Wes Goosen tries; Jordie Barrett 2 cons) Halftime: 7- 7.