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Match Report: Hurricanes hold off Chiefs to reach final four

Ben Lam scores for Hurricanes against Chiefs

The Hurricanes are a game away from a third Super Rugby final in four seasons after they overcame the Chiefs 32-31 in Friday’s quarter-final.

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Seven days earlier, the Chiefs had beaten the Hurricanes in the final regular-season encounter, but a repeat at Westpac Stadium proved beyond them in an entertaining contest that started with a Julian Savea interception try in the first minute.

The Chiefs stayed within striking until just after the hour mark, when TJ Perenara’s second try helped the Hurricanes to pull away.

A pair of late consolation tries from the Chiefs ensured the final score was one that reflected what was for the most part a tight tussle, but it is the Hurricanes who progress to face either the Crusaders or the Sharks in the last four.

Continue reading below…

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Savea opened the scoring in spectacular fashion when he picked off a pass and raced away to score under the posts.

He came close to repeating the feat soon after but was hauled down deep in the Chiefs’ territory.

But six minutes after Savea had broken the deadlock, the Chiefs levelled matters as neat handling work down the left sent Brad Weber in to dot down.

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Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie traded penalties before Perenara dashed over to restore the Hurricanes’ advantage and give them a 17-10 lead going into the break.

Anton Lienert-Brown redressed the balance 11 minutes into the second half as he latched onto an excellent run from Lachlan Boshier.

However, the boot of Barrett nudged the Hurricanes ahead once more and this time there was no way back for the Chiefs.

Perenara squirmed over for his second after some intense pressure on the Chiefs line before Ben Lam gave the Hurricanes what proved decisive breathing room when he went over in the left corner.

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McKenzie finished off a well-worked move and Boshier crashed over from short range as the Chiefs finished their season with a flourish to give the scoreline a much more flattering look.

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Jon 11 hours ago
The case for keeping the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific

I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.

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