Hurricanes player ratings vs Chiefs | Super Rugby Pacific
The Chiefs travelled to Wellington to take on the Hurricanes, looking to bounce back from a loss at home against the Crusaders. The home side were hoping to also bounce back after being the first New Zealand side to lose to Moana Pasifika.
The Hurricanes brought intense line speed early which paid dividends with a try just over 60 seconds into the game. They carried a 15-13 lead into half-time, but softened up and let the Chiefs take the lead in the second.
Giving away six penalties in a row midway through the second half, they fell behind 30-15 only to storm back to within one point.
Here’s how the Hurricanes players rated:
1. Pouri Rakete-Stones – 5/10
Held firm on the first Hurricanes scrum but began to wilt after that. Lost a penalty to Angus Ta’avao after too much pressure on the second. Some good tackles in close. Chiefs front row had the better of them in the first half. Off at half-time. Wasn’t really a memorable performance.
2. Asafo Aumua – 6.5
His early throwing was crisp, hitting his first five or so targets on time, but the lineout began to falter late in the half with an unplanned overthrow at a key time. Scrum started to fail under the pressure of the Chiefs’ All Blacks. Provided strong carries, as always, but was inaccurate at the breakdown, giving away a penalty in the first half for not supporting body weight. Conceded another penalty, stripping a tackled player inside his own 22 in the second half during a key period that the Hurricanes imploded in. Lifted his impact on defence late in the second half and finished with some strong carries. Got through a ton of work with 16 tackles. Overall a good performance, but discipline costly at times.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 5
Solid defence early on, driving the Chiefs back with some great hits. Was done by Josh Ioane when he tried to bring line speed in the lead-up to Anton Lienert-Brown’s try. Scrum struggled but he held his side well enough. Forced a key turnover 10 minutes into the second half with a counter ruck as the Chiefs looked to exit. Off in the 66th. Big minutes from the prop.
4. James Blackwell – 5
Good work rate but faded as the game went on. Did the dirty work around the rucks effectively enough in the first half. Wasn’t really the lineout option on the day with most balls going to Savea or Prinsep. Disciplined game but became ineffective as he tired out.
5. Scott Scrafton – 4
Good pressure from the big man off the defensive line early. Worked hard to get up in Chiefs’ faces but didn’t have the same impact early in the second half despite going off in the 48th minute.
6. Reed Prinsep – 3
Was the Hurricanes’ second lineout option. Was rather quiet, handling clean out work and carried a few times. Got burned by Pita Gus Sowakula after a slow break from the scrum which led to the Chiefs finally taking the lead. Just didn’t have much impact at all and you have to think the Hurricanes need to try a new 6.
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi – 5
Really led from the front on defence with great line speed early. Won a holding on penalty midway through the first half. Looked promising with ball in hand multiple times on the right hand side. Applied pressure at many Chiefs breakdowns but gave away a penalty right on half-time to allow the Chiefs three points and close the gap to two. Got stripped in the tackle at a crucial moment just three minutes from the end, when the Hurricanes were pressing. Another penalty 30 seconds from time for slowing the ball sealed the game for the Chiefs. While Kirifi’s effort was outstanding, it was his execution that proved costly and he has to be marked down for that. Not his day.
8. Ardie Savea (c) – 6
Was the Hurricanes’ primary lineout option instead of the locking pair. Quick hands down the blind from a scrum play helped set up the Hurricanes’ second try. Had a good penalty on his opposite number after Sowakula had turned the ball over on first phase. Overall, it was an uncharacteristic game from Savea, who didn’t have his usual high-level impact until the last 15 minutes. Took a quick tap and scored an incredible try with the Chiefs napping with seven minutes to go.
9. TJ Perenara – 8
Great intercept try less than 60 seconds into the game. The Hurricanes looked to bring intense line speed early and Perenara snatched one from a Josh Ioane pass going through the motions of their shape. Was very accurate through the first half, passing with good timing and precision to build the Hurricanes’ phase play. His control of the game began to fade as play got a bit sloppy late in first half. Provided some good tempo to lift the Canes’ attack after they lost the lead. Played his guts out in defence, trying to get the Hurricanes back in the game. Off in 70th. Best on the field for the ill-disciplined Canes.
10. Jackson Garden-Bachop – 5
Beautiful quick hands down the blindside to set-up the Hurricanes second try. Had some struggles building chemistry with Barrett with a key pass going to ground as the attack looked promising. Looked to play for more field position late in the first half as the Hurricanes got a little sloppy. One good long range kick put Chiefs wing Emoni Narawa under pressure. Other than that, had a quiet game overall as the Hurricanes’ discipline imploded in the second half.
11. Wes Goosen – 5
Had an unlucky bounce for a would-be try on a chip-and-chase break, but he scored moments later down the blindside with a walk-in after a five-metre scrum. Penalised for not rolling away from the breakdown directly in front of the posts after defending in the 10 channel. Some good moments in kick coverage and was typically reliable.
12. Jordie Barrett – 6.5
Had a nice offload to Goosen early on the left edge for a half chance. He kicked five from seven off the tee, missing a sideline conversion and a long penalty attempt in first half. Took plenty of carries but played a little indirectly at first receiver from set piece when he looked to free the backs. Missed a developing opportunity with Garden-Bachop running a play out the back during phase play in the first half. Defended well with a couple of dominant hits and got aggressive in the second half, seemingly out of frustration. Had one great ball-and-all tackle on Nanai-Seturo on a set piece scrum. Looks like the transition to 12 will take time as it wasn’t immediately clicking.
13. Billy Proctor – 4
Some understated involvements in defence and at the ruck in the first half. Had a few first receiver touches during phase play. However, took a bad angle in the lead-up to the Chiefs’ second try, allowing Quinn Tupaea to make the initial break that was finished by Kaylum Boshier. His best play was a nice pullback pass on the set piece play leading to the Savea try. Off in 70th. He is just not the kind of strike centre the Hurricanes are used to having.
14. Julian Savea – 6
Reliable in the first half. Had some good carries against the grain and had to jam in a lot and recovered well when needed. In the second half, he finished his only opportunity by crashing over in the corner.
15. Ruben Love – 5
Looked dangerous on his first kick return and always looked promising taking when on the line. Ran incisive lines during set pieces. Set up a nice try to Julian Savea in the 67th minute with good injection into the line to give the Canes some hope. His running game was fantastic but was let down by his ball handling at the back. Wasn’t tested enough by the Chiefs under the high ball as it proved to be his kryptonite. Dropped his first one under pressure, losing sight of the ball in the sun. Had a great aerial take to start the second half, but then lost the ball placing it back. Lost another one cold on the run after taking it cleanly for three kick return turnovers. Went for a wild cutout pass on a scrum play that was picked off by Emoni Narawa. His last-ditch defence unfortunately didn’t save the day against the odds like Barrett often pulls off. He will be better for the run at 15 and definitely has a lot to offer in attack, just didn’t provide the stability needed on the day.
Reserves
16. James O’Reilly – N/A
17. Xavier Numia – 4
On at halftime. Had a weak clean out that cost Hurricanes the ball and momentum. Just seemed to tire out early.
18. Tevita Mafileo – 6
On in 66th. Great carry first up. Forced a turnover on defence. Has a big frame and looks like an intriguing prospect.
19. Caleb Delany – 6
On in 48th. Very tidy performance. Did a lot of clean up work and made good decisions.
20. Devan Flanders – N/A
21. Jamie Booth – 4
Had a good kick-chase that resulted in a penalty won with his effort at the ruck. Oddly offered terribly slow service when the Hurricanes needed to lift. Always paused an extra half second before getting the ball out. Needs to fix.
22. Bailyn Sullivan – N/A
On in 70th. Had one strong carry.
23. Josh Moorby – N/A
On in 66th. Didn’t see much action.
Comments on RugbyPass
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to comments