Hurricanes vs Chiefs takeaways: Yellow is the new red, Razor will be calling
The Super Rugby Pacific reins have finally been relinquished by the Crusaders and it’s the Hurricanes who are seizing the opportunity, dominating the competition and proving their youth won’t hold them back in the big games.
On Saturday night the Wellington squad sent a message to the competition that on their night they can steamroll their nearest challenger, with ambitious attack and strengths across the park.
Half of Wellington came out for the contest and only the sprinkling of Chiefs fans across Sky Stadium were heading home disappointed, but all fans headed for the gates entertained.
It was a classic Super Rugby Pacific contest, here are some takeaways.
TJ Perenara is still in his prime
The halfback is fit and firing, missing no opportunity to inflict his will on the game.
Coming up against one of the game’s brightest young stars at No. 9 in Cortez Ratima, Perenara had moments where his performance offered a clinic on how to be an aggressive, opportunistic threat at halfback.
The 32-year-old is hyper-aware of the laws and picks his moments around the ruck defensively to make life hell for opposition halfbacks, or anyone looking to pick the ball up from the back of the ruck.
Against the Chiefs on Saturday night, Perenara equalled Julian Savea’s record for most tries in Super Rugby Pacific history, later telling the commentary team post-match that Savea would be receiving a text from him the minute he gets his phone back in the locker room, as is the competitive nature of the No. 9.
Perenara is showing nothing but energy and enthusiasm every time he’s near the ball and offers an experienced head in fine form for Scott Robertson’s consideration. It’s very likely the coach is eyeing Perenara for a return to higher honours.
The Hurricanes scrum is a cheat code
Time after time the Hurricanes scrum destroyed the Chiefs, with both Xavier Numia and Tyrel Lomax winning penalties.
Lomax is an established All Black, well-known as the premier tighthead prop in the country over recent years and provides strong play in the core areas for his position.
Numia on the other hand debuted for the All Blacks XV in 2023 and has had to prove he is more than a dynamic, ball-playing prop. In 2024, he has certainly done that.
Aided by the sometimes inhuman strength of Asafo Aumua, the Hurricanes’ props absolutely destroyed their Chiefs counterparts, ensuring they always had a foothold in the contest.
That dominance did falter briefly to start the second half, but the Hurricanes boast both quality and quantity. The reserve unit of Pouri Rakete-Stones and Pasilio Tosi offer immense size and strength, giving the Chiefs no respite in the final quarter of the game.
On the flip side of this, It’s hard to see the Chiefs going all the way this season if they can be overpowered like this so consistently in a match.
Clark Laidlaw was the signing of the year
The former Sevens guru’s success with the Hurricanes raises some intriguing questions. While the young core Laidlaw has inherited have no doubt developed into some of the most promising prospects in the country, it’s curious that the Canes have taken such a giant leap after Jason Holland departed for the All Blacks.
Laidlaw maintained plenty of continuity within the coaching staff, while the departures of Dane Coles and Ardie Savea didn’t stop the coach from making bold calls around the youth of his side, famously signalling to Julian Savea that it was time for the next generation to take centre stage.
The appointment appears to be working wonders for Jordie Barrett in particular. A challenge when moving up from fullback and a skillset the northern hemisphere are separating themselves with is the ability to play the ball comfortably right at the line. Barrett is looking much more comfortable in the face of aggressive defensive line speed in 2024 already, making good reads and executing as a playmaker. Barrett’s skillset had the Chiefs defence hesitating in the contest, resulting in a soft shoulder for the bruiser to attack in the midfield.
Overall, the Hurricanes players look empowered, positive and like they are playing with unrivalled freedom. Giving Asafo Aumua captaincy responsibilities is looking like a superb call.
The coach has emphasised culture within the team and for a squad so familiar with each other thanks to the Lions’ recent NPC success, there’s a strong core of players who are tight-knit and play for each other.
Yellow is the new red
There will never be another dynasty like the Crusaders’ recent run in Super Rugby, and there shouldn’t be. So, this isn’t to say the Canes are about to launch an all-out assault on the competitiveness of this competition, but there has been a power shift and the Wellington club have staked their claim as the strongest team in the competition.
Of the many players coming of age for the Hurricanes in 2024, many are in their early 20s.
Aside from Brad Shields who was initially named captain but has only recently joined the fold on the field, the captaincy honours have been shared by Asafo Aumua (26) and Jordie Barrett (27).
The lineout was shaky at times but outside of that, the Hurricanes looked to be the stronger team across the park on Saturday night, proving their youth is no barrier to complete performances.
The big test will of course come in the knockout stages, where the Hurricanes are likely to enjoy home-field advantage. That will be the true test of character for this team and their newfound energy.
Big decisions beckon for New Zealand Rugby and Peter Lakai
Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose and Du’Plessis Kirifi are all names that have justifiably been mentioned in All Blacks discussion this season, and given Kirifi is currently coming off the bench and a certain World Rugby Player of the Year will be back on deck in 2025, it begs the question of whether the Hurricanes, and New Zealand Rugby, can retain all this talent.
Perhaps a bigger question comes over one specific selection. Lakai entered the fray as a No. 8 with the ability to play openside, excelling in the No. 7 jersey of late. If he has the capacity to don the No. 6 jersey, that might be an option worth exploring at the expense of Shields. That being said, at such a young age, moving the youngster around is something you want to limit.\
Lakai and the coaching staff – of both the Hurricanes and All Blacks – have to make a decision on where his future lies. Given his form at just 21 years of age, it’s likely the loose forward will rise to be a premier option at any position he should choose, but it’s worth having the conversation over where his services will be needed the most.
The No. 8 and openside positions offer national selectors plenty of depth, whereas Jerome Kaino’s boots on the blindside flank have proven incredibly difficult to fill. Lakai has the work rate and physicality, although lacks the height of a Shannon Frizell or Kaino.
One man whom Lakai has been likened to is Savea, and so regardless of which position Lakai ends up in, the lesson that Savea’s career should have taught New Zealand Rugby is that just because a player offers versatility, that doesn’t mean you have to use it. Give this kid one role to master and see how he flies.
Comments on RugbyPass
Great role model.
2 Go to commentsOne significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
54 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
54 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
54 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
54 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
2 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
54 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
54 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
54 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
54 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
54 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
54 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
54 Go to comments