Hurricanes vs Chiefs takes: D-Mac overcooked it, Jordie way better

The Chiefs flamed out in Wellington for their fourth consecutive Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final loss as the Hurricanes put on a dominant display in front of the home crowd.

The Hurricanes put on nine tries to one in 60-5 beat down in the capital. It was up there with the 2009 final for lopsided score lines, beating the 61-17 win by the Bulls over the Chiefs.

The Chiefs missed the presence of Wallace Sititi as the Hurricanes big men got their roll on, leading to an avalanche of tries for the backs.

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Hurricanes finest ever performance

The Hurricanes’ maiden title in 2016 was historic but this was arguably the Hurricanes’ finest hour. After a stunning season with one of the greatest attacking teams ever produced in Super Rugby, the Canes capped off the year with an utterly dominant performance in front of a full house at home for the first time in what feels like forever in the capital.

It was 29-0 at half-time with a strong northerly at their backs and the carnage continued into the second into the wind. A late Chiefs try prevented a nilling, but the Canes still had the last say with Jone Rova bringing up 60.

The high-flying wings continued their historic chase of the all-time record, with Fehi grabbing it in the first half. Two tries to Josh Moorby, including a brilliant sideline dash off a scrum play, also put his name in the record books alongside Fineanganofo with 17.

Pretty much 1-15 all starred with a moment or two each, the Canes’ forwards were too powerful for the Chiefs, while the backs cut them to shreds as they have done all year.

From start to finish it was a masterclass for the Wellington faithful who won’t forget this night easily. The second title was as sweet as the first.

D-Mac overcooked the goose

Not a lot went right for the Chiefs in the first half, with a host of errors compounding into a 29-0 deficit. Chiefs playmaker Damian McKenzie had one of his worst showings, it was tough early for McKenzie to get a read on the howling wind swirling.

He was charged by Jordie Barrett trying to plug a low one which resulted in a turnover inside the 22. From the restart after the first Hurricanes’ try, he kicked too far resulting in a scrum on halfway. He missed touch a little while later on a penalty, before another restart overcooked resulting in another scrum on halfway for the Canes. Late in the first half he had another shocker, barely making a few metres as it sailed into touch.

Coughing up the pill on the goal line led to another Hurricanes’ try early in the second. Safe to say it just wasn’t his night as the No.10’s wayward kicking in difficult conditions handed the Hurricanes great attacking platforms. He finished with eight turnovers and eight missed tackles.

It won’t help his troubles that he was outplayed by his opposite Ruben Love, who was sensational in a two-try effort. His lead up work was instrumental in a handful of other scores, and he kicked well off the tee in windy conditions.

Love has to be starting at 10 for the All Blacks against France.

Everyone knows Jordie better

The Hurricanes No.12 outplayed the Player of the Year winner Quinn Tupaea in the head-to-head match up at 12. It was Barrett’s full range of skills that shone in Wellington on a difficult night.

Barrett whipped long balls out to his wings in horrific windy conditions like it was a calm Sunday afternoon, freeing up Josh Moorby all night down the right edge.

He broke through the Chiefs line for the first line break of the game, nearly setting up the second try. He had another half break and a nice high ball recovery which led to a monster bump off by Asafo Aumua in the open field. The class of Barrett was on show after being snubbed from the team of the year.

He finished with four line breaks, a try of his own, and a ton of line break assists.

Barrett is simply the world’s best No.12 and it showed tonight.

Dearns the engine room

The Hurricanes lock was a world class difference maker in his first year at the club. It’s clear to see why Dearns has two two Japan Rugby League One titles already, he’s the anchor of the lineout, makes turnovers regularly and pressures the kickers.

His charge down on Cortez Ratima set the tone early and he had a key strip steal in the first half, although the Chiefs had advantage it killed their momentum. He still had three more turnovers won.

The Hurricanes have to find a way to get Dearns back for another season, he will already go down as the best second rower the club has ever had.

Dave Rennie’s new headache

The big question now is how many Hurricanes make Dave Rennie’s squad on Monday. They just blasted away New Zealand’s second-best side by a landslide, proving to be aclass above.

A number of Canes won’t be picked, like Japanese international Dearns, Brad Shields, departing Devan Flanders, but the likes of Xavier Numia will surely receive his first call up. Rumours are that Fehi Fineanganofo will be picked and how could Josh Moorby also not get a look in after that final. Moorby outplayed both Chiefs wingers, one of whom is an All Black incumbent.

With the Hurricanes clearly New Zealand’s best side, how will Rennie use that to his advantage building on the chemistry that they bring.