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Hurricanes fans furious with alleged referee blunder in semi-final loss
The Hurricanes suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the Crusaders in a thrilling Super Rugby semi-final that was made even worse with a controversial call during the dying stages of the game, according to The New Zealand Herald.
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With less than two minutes remaining on the clock, the Hurricanes were in a position to launch an attack in the opposition 22, but referee Nic Berry called a knock on against TJ Perenara to put an end to their hopes as the Crusaders took the match 30-26.
What made matters worse for Hurricanes fans was that it appeared Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock had reached over at the breakdown and swiped the ball from Perenara’s grasp.
It was a result-settling intervention, as the referee ruled in the Crusaders’ favour, allowing the home side clinch the win that will see them host Argentine side Jaguares in the final next Saturday.
The outcome left Hurricanes fans taking to social media to express their frustrations at their team getting “robbed” of an upset win. Here is what was said:
80’ The referee misses Sam Whitelock playing the ball at the ruck and the Crusaders make another final. Congratulations @Hurricanesrugby #CRUvHUR
— Hurricanes Rugby (@Hurricanesrugby) June 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/wee_bam85/status/1144904030151421952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1144904030151421952&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nzherald.co.nz%2Fsport%2Fnews%2Farticle.cfm%3Fc_id%3D4%26objectid%3D12245157
Sky still haven’t showed one replay of the most controversial moment in the game. Great game but rubbish coverage from Sky as usual. Whitelock knocked that on, not TJ #CRUvHUR
— The Rugby Oracle (@RuggaOracle) June 29, 2019
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Before anyone asks I thought Nic Berry had a very decent game. But I'm sure he'll be somewhat disappointed with that last decision #CRUvHUR
— Scott (@MadMaclegend) June 29, 2019
Hurricanes robbed of an opportunity to win the game at the death, Crusaders gifted the chance to put the game to bed. Ending our season on a referee error is a tough pill to swallow.
Oh well, fuck the Crusaders (and their name), Vamos Jaguares! #CRUvHUR
— Jordan Patu (@Jordan_Patu) June 29, 2019
Desp1ite the controversial finish, fans were treated to one of the best games of the Super Rugby season – with the Hurricanes putting up a strong challenge right until the final whistle. In the end, the Crusaders showed how difficult it is to beat them at home.
The hosts broke out to a fast start, going up by three points in as many minutes before a brilliant cross-kick from Ryan Crotty found winger Sevu Reece in the corner for the opening try of the match in the 13th minute.
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56 points, seven tries and a heart breaking finish. Relive all the highlights thanks to @skysportnz https://t.co/OUOqncF1iu
— Hurricanes Rugby (@Hurricanesrugby) June 29, 2019
The Crusaders outran Hurricanes by 100 metres in the first half, with the Hurricanes making far more tackles. However, the Crusaders kept the door open – with 12 turnovers conceded in the first half.
It was a different story in the second half as the game opened up and both sides played fluid, attacking football. Ultimately, though, the Crusaders hung on and booked their place in the final thanks to Whitelock’s key moment.
WATCH: Knocked, episode one on the RugbyPass series Beyond 80 which focuses on the issue of concussion
Comments on RugbyPass
In the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getitng to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
5 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
6 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
5 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe 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.
6 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 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.
11 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.
54 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.
6 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
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 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
54 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.
54 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.
18 Go to comments