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Champions Hurricanes break new ground against sorry Sunwolves, Crusaders up and running
Hurricanes broke new ground as they began the start of their Super Rugby defence with a devastating 83-17 mauling of Sunwolves.
The Wellington side, who defeated Lions in last season’s final, were a class above the sorry Sunwolves and scored a club-record 13 tries in a single match in
Ardie Savea, Vince Aso and Michael Fatialofa all touched down twice for Chris Boyd’s men, while Ricky Riccitelli, TJ Perenara, Julian Savea, Ngani Laumape, Blade Thomson, Brad Shields and Wes Goosen also opened their accounts for the season in the rout, which represented their highest points total in a game.
Hurricanes, who were 45-5 to the good by half-time, were battered 52-10 by Brumbies in their 2016 season-opener but laid down a much bigger marker this time around, albeit far tougher tests lie in wait.
Great start to the season in Tokyo with 13 triespic.twitter.com/N9xEGLqCPL
— Hurricanes Rugby (@Hurricanesrugby) February 25, 2017
It was a far more even affair in Christchurch as seven-time champions Crusaders held firm to defeat Brumbies 17-13 at AMI Stadium.
Seta Tamanivalu touched down in just the fourth minute after fine work by Israel Dagg and the latter was influential in sending Whetu Douglas over before half-time.
Brumbies defended stoutly in the opening 40 and Rory Arnold’s try brought them back into the game, only for Peter Samu to stretch Crusaders’ lead again.
The Australian team attacked well in the closing stages, but Crusaders held out for a round-one win.
Waratahs are also up-and-running for the season after edging a tight affair with Force 19-13 in at Allianz Stadium.
Rain earlier in the day in Sydney meant conditions were not always easy and visitors Force led 13-9 at the break with Jono Lance contributing all their points with a try and eight points off the tee.
But Waratahs hit back early in the second half with Will Skelton touching down, and Reece Robinson – assuming kicking duties in the absence of the injured Bernard Foley – kicked five more points to seal the win.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 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.
37 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.
2 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
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 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
37 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.
37 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.
37 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.
37 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
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments