Clark Laidlaw reveals the most frustrating aspect from the Chiefs loss

Laidlaw’s side ended up on the wrong side of the result, after All Black loose-forward Wallace Sititi reacted quickest to a charged-down Damian McKenzie drop goal.

The defeat at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton ended the Hurricanes’ five-game winning streak in Super Rugby Pacific, dropping them down to second place behind the Chiefs.

Both teams had their chances throughout the last quarter of normal time, but it was the home side who had all of the front-foot momentum in extra-time, securing an important victory in the context of the season.

Speaking to media in Hamilton post-match, Laidlaw admits there will certainly be some tactical work-ons after the Chiefs clash.

“Yeah, disappointed, little bit frustrated, but it was a pretty tight contest, it felt like two good teams went at it and then there’s plenty there for us to learn and to think about,” Laidlaw said.

“Like around, 17-10, how do you close a game out, so there’ll be some stuff there on the tactical side of the game.”

“And yeah, I thought the Chiefs played well, to be fair, in the scrap for everything, it [the game] probably was summed up, when we charged down a drop goal, and they just react a little bit faster than us.

“So I felt they were maybe a half step ahead of times around some of the sort of scraps in the game. But yeah, there’ll be plenty to pick through and learn as we go forward, deeper into the competition.”

The Wellington-based Super Rugby Pacific franchise went into the halftime break leading 12–3, but it was the opening 15 minutes of the second half that frustrated Laidlaw most.

“Yeah, I think we started poorly after half time. I thought 15 minutes after half time, we gave away a couple of cheap penalties, two knock ons, missed touch, a couple of penalties. But then we sort of wrestled that back and got the 171-0 lead.

“We looked offload and it didn’t stick, and it’s not about offloading or not, but context is king, making sure you understand what’s happening in the game. I felt like every time we got in the front foot, we got penalty advantage.

“As an example, I really enjoyed the way we took them on up front in the first half and then in the second half, and got that try. So as soon as planning to like there, it’s just when you get 17 turn up away from home, and you feel like you’ve got enough to close the game. I think there’s the frustration.”

The Hurricanes will take on the Brumbies next Saturday at Super Round in Christchurch, while the Chiefs have an eight-day turnaround before their game against the Fijian Drua next Sunday.