Super Rugby Aotearoa - Hurricanes player ratings vs Blues
The Hurricanes kept their season alive with their third win in a row, defeating rivals Auckland Blues 29-27 in their highly entertaining round 5 match of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
In a see-sawing affair in the wet at Sky Stadium in Wellington, neither team played well enough to win but the Canes took their chances when it mattered and that ultimately proved the difference. The Hurricanes struggled in the first half to combat the Blues driving maul, but oddly dominated at scrum time.
In the backs, the focus before the match was on the battle of the Barrett brothers at fullback and it didn’t disappoint. But it was younger brother Jordie who got the last laugh, slotting a match-winning conversion with just minutes left on the clock.
Ngani Laumape and the Hurricanes backrow were particular standouts, but the overall energy from the team, mainly in attack, set the tone for the match. The impact of the bench was probably the difference as well. Here’s how the Hurricanes rated:
Fraser Armstrong – 7/10
Worked hard all night, in a strong performance from the Hurricanes scrum. Also carried and defended well.
Dane Coles – 7.5/10
Coles was near perfect from the set-piece, in what was a true captain’s knock. The All Blacks hooker handed his side the lead in the 44th, running a strong line to cross from a couple of metres out.
Tyrel Lomax – 7/10
Did his job in the scrum, and also got involved with ball-in-hand. Did what his team him needed him to.
James Blackwell – 6.5/10
Did his job around the field, and was a reliable option at the lineout. Was an honest performance from one of the hardest working guys in the Hurricanes squad.
Scott Scrafton – 7/10
Was a workhorse tonight, putting his head in some pretty dark places to do his job for the team.
Reed Prinsep – 7.5/10
Showed plenty of physicality in both attack and defence, and did his job at the breakdown. His performance was textbook for how a blindside flanker should perform. Was rewarded with a try in the 34th minute off a driving maul.
Du’Plessis Kirifi – 8/10
Was brilliant all night, looking particularly energetic on attack but also did his job both in defence and around the breakdown. Ran a great line through the Blues defence that eventually led to the yellow card for Emoni Narawa. Had a busy night, constantly looked to get involved. He was everywhere!
Ardie Savea – 7.5/10
Another classic performance from the All Blacks backrower, with an abundance of energy proving effective when he got involved. Ran all night with his near trademark powerful leg drive. Moment of the match was his 40-metre burst from a pick and go, catching the Blues defence napping. Otherwise an impressive performance in defence and around the breakdown; was also one of the leading options at the lineout.
TJ Perenara – 7.5/10
Won’t want to watch Beauden Barrett’s try again, with the All Blacks halfback practically jumping out of his way anticipating an intercept. Otherwise controlled the tempo of the match well, playing his classic energetic game. Showed his class once again with a simple yet effective pass setting up Dane Coles for a try.
Jackson Garden-Bachop – 7/10
Took the line on when he needed to, and guided the team around the park with patience. Did drift in and out of the match, but overall the flyhalf did his job. He was unlucky not to have set Jordie Barret up for a try early in the match, with the ball just going forward.
Ben Lam – 6.5/10
Had a quiet first half where the ball didn’t come his way. Got more involved in the second but he didn’t get the chance to really impose himself.
Ngani Laumape – 9/10
Nobody could question who the standout player for the Hurricanes was tonight. In a man-of-the-match performance, Laumape dominated practically from the get-go. Bamboozled 2-time World Player of the Year, Beauden Barrett, in his return to Wellington with a brilliant in and away. After getting away from Barrett, the inside centre did what he does best – running over anyone who stands in his way. Ran over Otere Black for the games first five-pointer. De ja vu minutes later, running right over Beauden Barrett before being stopped just short of the chalk. Capped off a great night with a big hit on Blues replacement Matt Duffie, to give his side the momentum. He wasn’t perfect tonight, but Ngani Laumape got pretty close.
Peter Umaga-Jensen – 8/10
Ran with purpose and intent all night, constantly looking dangerous. Broke through the heart of the Blues defence early with a hard and direct line, in what was a common sight all night.
Kobus Van Wyk – 6/10
The ball didn’t come his way at all tonight. Got the occasional chance but it wasn’t any ball in space.
Jordie Barrett – 8/10
This isn’t anything new, but the Hurricanes are very much Jordie Barrett’s team and the 23-year-old played like it tonight. Even though he wasn’t their best, the fullback was the most important player on the park wearing yellow. Stood up when his team needed him to, especially when kicking for touch. In tough conditions, he kicked to the corner with pinpoint accuracy. Brilliant kick for touch that led to Prinsep’s try. Held his own in the battle against his Brother with his in-field play too, guiding his team around the park alongside Garden-Bachop. Handled the pressure well to slot the winner late.
Reserves:
Asafo Aumua – 7/10
Came on and tried to use his pace and strength to break the brick wall that was the Blues defence at the death. Scored a pivotal try late that allowed Barrett to kick the winning points.
Pouri Rakete-Stones – 5.5/10
Alex Fidow – 6/10
Isaia Walker-Leawere – 6/10
Vaea Fifita – 6/10
Jamie Booth – 6.5/10
Did what he needed to when he came on.
Billy Proctor – N/A
Wes Goosen – 6/10
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments