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'Should make it into All Blacks': Peter Umaga-Jensen impresses with first half brace of tries as All Blacks selectors watch on
Don’t be surprised to hear calls for Peter Umaga-Jensen to earn a surprise call-up to the All Blacks squad in the wake of the Hurricanes’ Super Rugby Aotearoa clash with the Chiefs.
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The young midfielder put on a clinic in the first half of the round nine Kiwi derby – of which the Hurricanes need to win with a bonus point to keep their faint title hopes alive – in front of a crowd that featured All Blacks selectors Ian Foster, John Plumtree and Grant Fox.
That trio of spectators will no doubt have sat up and taken notice of Umaga-Jensen’s opening half performance, where he stood up in the absence of injured teammate Ngani Laumape to wreak havoc with the Chiefs’ defence.
Going into Saturday’s clash without having picked up a bonus point at all throughout the competition, Umaga-Jensen led the charge to keeping the Hurricanes’ season intact with an early try inside the first seven minutes.
A sequence of solid build-up play by the hosts from an attacking lineout kept the Chiefs pegged inside their own 22, before halfback TJ Perenara fired a deft flat ball for Umaga-Jensen to run onto at pace.
There was no stopping the imposing 22-year-old, who made easy work of Alex Nankivell and Anton Lienert-Brown to dot down under the posts.
?? LINES! Peter Umaga-Jensen gets @Hurricanesrugby on the board early in the capital.
?: @skysportnz #HURvCHI pic.twitter.com/EzX0zxP3m6
— Super Rugby NZ (@SuperRugbyNZ) August 8, 2020
It took only 20 minutes for Umaga-Jensen to double his score tally and continue his good run of form that played a vital role in taking down the Crusaders in Christchurch a fortnight ago.
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Running a backline move off an attacking scrum, the former national schoolboy and age-grade star split apart the Chiefs defence with a good running line before setting Wes Goosen away down the left wing.
Playing the role of support player, Umaga-Jensen was on hand to receive a last-ditch offload from Goosen as he was bundled into touch and was quick to dot the ball down despite the tackle attempt of Mitch Karpik.
Set-piece tries are a beautiful thing. Just beautiful.
Flick over to @skysportnz to see if @Hurricanesrugby can bag a bonus-point win and keep their title hopes ALIVE!
?: @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/d5hKh2WXBf
— Super Rugby NZ (@SuperRugbyNZ) August 8, 2020
Twitter was quick to react to Umaga-Jensen’s two-try salvo, with many praising the youngster’s efforts as the Hurricanes stayed alive in the competition for another week by picking up a 31-18 bonus point win over their North Island neighbours.
https://twitter.com/Lambish__/status/1291996193439059968
Timing of that pass from Umaga-Jensen was absolutely masterful. And the flick back from Goosen was magical. Or was it? #hurvchi #SuperRugbyAotearoa
— Rhys Knott (@wrhys_writes) August 8, 2020
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Great try for Peter Umaga-Jenson. All about fixing the defender and passing. Inside from ball from Wes Goosen was special. #HURvCHI #SuperRugbyAotearoa
— Ross Barnett (@rbarnett08) August 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/SolehinMustafa_/status/1292009106732023808
Umaga-Jensen has been one of the stand out centres this year. big strong and fast. got a bright future ahead of him
— Anaru Tuaine (@AnaruTuaine) August 8, 2020
This Umaga-Jensen kid is fire ? #HURvCHI
— TheXangani (@LuckS_thole) August 8, 2020
On current form Umaga-Jensen should make it into the All Blacks' squad…
— ZuluMichaelJackson (@The_ElecticZulu) August 8, 2020
Fair play Umaga-Jensen is on fire ? tonight #trytime @SuperRugbyNZ #HURvCHI
— Rob (@gracesdad73) August 8, 2020
