Hurricanes vs Moana Pasifika: Cruelty of sport, master and the apprentice

The Hurricanes have made a statement going into the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs, crushing Moana Pasifika’s hopes of a top-six finish with a commanding 64-12 win at Wellington’s Sky Stadium on Saturday.

While the Canes couldn’t improve on their fourth-placed position on the ladder, they had an opportunity to carry their winning run into the next stage. As for Moana Pasifika, they needed a bonus point win to qualify for the finals.

Ardie Savea scored one of Moana’s two tries, but the Hurricanes were a class above from the early exchanges. Here are some takeaways.

Master and the apprentice

Du’Plessis Kirifi was called into the All Blacks last year as injury cover.

After captaining the All Blacks XV to an unbeaten 2-0 run during the European tour, Kirifi was promoted into the top squad, although didn’t get a chance to debut. Now, impressed once again for the Canes this season, the calls for Kirifi to take that next step are getting louder.

With former All Blacks captain Sam Cane retiring from Test rugby at the end of 2024, there is a possible spot in New Zealand’s 23 for Kirifi. Coach Scott Robertson could also reshuffle the backrow, potentially moving Ardie Savea from No. 8 to openside flanker.

But that question won’t be answered for another few weeks yet.

Let’s focus on the here and now.

Savea enjoyed a legendary career in the capital as the team’s first-choice openside, before that torch was figuratively passed onto Kirifi a couple of years ago. The former teammates went head-to-head on Saturday, and it was a genuine thrill to see that battle.

It was a chance for the master to school the apprentice, or for Kirifi to outshine a legend.

This matchup was always going to be a talking point.

At the 58 minute mark, the two were level with seven carries in the match, but Kirifi had done more damage – running 10 metres more than Savea. On the other side of the ball, Kirifi had completed more tackles as well.

But let’s talk about the breakdown. Kirifi won a penalty for not releasing in the 26^th minute, only for Savea to repeat those heroics shortly after – and the Moana Pasifika backed that up again with another effort close to the visitors’ try line about 90 seconds later.

As he has done all season, Savea never stopped fighting for Moana, scoring the team’s only try of the second term in the 64^th minute. That’s a leader. Savea has had an incredible impact on Moana this season, so it was only fitting the skipper crossed for a try back in Wellington.

Savea won the head-to-head with Kirifi, but both wouldn’t look out of place in the same All Blacks backrow, if given the chance to play alongside each other again.

The cruel and unforgiving nature of sport

Sport can be so cruel sometimes.

It can be so unfair.

But that’s part of the rush, isn’t it? The roller coaster of emotions, the unpredictable nature of results and outcomes, and how that enhances the sporting spectacle as two groups of warriors meet on the rugby field – not that it makes losing any easier, of course.

Moana Pasifka have enjoyed a breakout season as a team in Super Rugby Pacific, which so nearly included a successful run to the playoffs. As the sixth-placed team on the standings, Moana controlled their own destiny, but it was always going to be a tough ask.

With two tough matches on the road to round out their season, taking on the top-seeded Chiefs in Hamilton and the Hurricanes at Wellington’s Sky Stadium, Moana needed to shock the world with an all-time upset to make the playoffs.

That didn’t happen.

After the Blues’ staggering 40-point win over the Waratahs earlier on Saturday, Moana needed a bonus point win in New Zealand’s capital. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa gave Moana early hope with a try just five minutes into the contest, but it was one-way traffic from there.

The Hurricanes ran in four answered tries to round out the first term, which all but sealed the fate of Moana Pasifika going into the break. After a memorable run of results during the regular season, Moana’s campaign has officially come to an end.

As everyone’s unofficial ‘second team’, most fans would’ve loved to see Moana make history by continuing their run into the playoffs. Their season was deserving of a top six place, but in sport, things don’t always go to plan.

That’s the cruel, unforgiving truth.

Hurricanes can win the comp

Before their round 10 clash with the Western Force in Perth, the Hurricanes’ season seemed to hang in the balance a bit. Three losses from four starts – including one to Moana – had the Canes in a tough position from the early rounds of the season.

But they fought their way back.

Billy Proctor returned to the Hurricanes’ starting side to face the Brumbies in round 11, and the centre has been a difference-maker ever since. The Canes were on a four match winning streak before extending that run to five against Moana.

Proctor was good once again, but Peter Umaga-Jensen was great.

So too was Brett Cameron, and Devan Flanders also stood tall.

Cam Roigard is probably the form No. 9 in Super Rugby Pacific, continuing to score tries with an effort in round 16, the team’s backrow is world-class. With momentum going into the playoffs, there’s a lot to like about the Canes.

Not to put the mocker on them, or any type of journalist curse, but the Hurricanes can win Super Rugby Pacific this season. It would require a spectacular run of results away from home, but if any team can do it from outside the top three, then it’s the Canes.

Next up, the Brumbies in Canberra.

Let’s talk about the midfield

If the Hurricanes are going to go all the way this season, then the midfield is going to play a big role in that. Umaga-Jensen was especially impressive against Moana, while Proctor continued to stake a claim for an All Blacks starting spot.

Umaga-Jensen scored a try on either side of half-time, while Proctor crossed for a five-pointer with 10 minutes left in the match. In general play, Umaga-Jensen was among the elite for carries, and the outside centre stood out with a game-high three carries.

Riley Higgins is out for the season but Umaga-Jensen, who has once been capped by the All Blacks, won’t let anyone down in that No. 12 jersey, as fans have seen all season. Umaga-Jensen has started in all 11 appearances this season.

This can be a seriously lethal midfield combination throughout the playoffs. All of the other five playoff teams have world-class midfield pairings, but there’s an argument to be had that the Canes might very well have the best of the best.