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Barrett saves Hurricanes from storm as Folau enters record books
Israel Folau equalled the all-time Super Rugby try-scoring record as the Waratahs ended the Crusaders’ 19-game winning streak with a 20-12 victory.
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Folau touched down after the Crusaders failed to deal with a cross-field kick into the in-goal area to move level with Doug Howlett on 59 tries in Saturday’s contest at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
His score six minutes from time effectively ended the Crusaders’ hopes of extending their record run of wins and handed them a first defeat since March last year, tries from Jed Holloway and Cameron Clark having put the Waratahs in command.
?Scott Robertson’s Crusaders were playing in their first game since last week’s mass shooting in their home city of Christchurch. A minute’s silence was held before kick-off with players from both teams linking arms in a circle.
On an emotional day, the visitors did score a late try through Will Jordan, only to miss out on a bonus point as the subsequent conversion attempt went wide.
The Waratahs top the Australian Conference with three wins from five, while the Crusaders are only above the Hurricanes in the New Zealand Conference on points difference.
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Beauden Barrett was the hero for the Hurricanes as they moved on to an identical record to the Crusaders with a 34-28 victory over the Stormers.
The Stormers led 21-15 at the break thanks to tries from Siya Kolisi and Bongi Mbonambi and three SP Marais penalties, Ben May and Jordie Barrett crossing for the Hurricanes.
And the South African side appeared poised to come away with the victory as Jaco Coetzee’s try kept their noses in front despite Wes Goosen’s 10-minute double.
Barrett had other ideas, though, and squeaked his way over 10 minutes from time, also converting his effort as the Hurricanes prevailed.
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Elsewhere, the Sunwolves’ first game since learning they will be axed from the competition at the end of the 2020 season ended in defeat to the Lions, who go top of the South Africa Conference.
A pair of Malcolm Marx tries gave the Lions a 12-7 half-time lead, and they scored 25 points after the interval to cruise to a 37-24 victory in Tokyo. It is now five defeats from six for the Sunwolves, while the Lions have four wins to their name.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
41 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
41 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
41 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
41 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
41 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
41 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
41 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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