Super Rugby Aotearoa: Hurricanes player ratings vs Blues
The arrival of both Beauden Barrett and Dan Carter in Auckland ensured that Blues fans entered the new season of Super Rugby Aotearoa with positive attitudes.
After beating the Hurricanes at home before the season was cancelled, the Blues were looking for back-to-back wins over their Kiwi conference rivals.
Here’s how the visitors rated in the 30-20 loss.
- Fraser Armstrong – 4
Not the best afternoon for the Hurricanes pack in Auckland. Armstrong gave away two penalties, one at scrum time on their own feed, towards the end of the first half. Subbed in 41st minute.
2. Dane Coles – 6
A memorable try down the right hand touchline showing shades of the younger Coles but a troubled night at line out time as the Blues pack put the pressure on.
Three throws were stolen by the Blues and plenty more were contested leading to disrupted ball for the Hurricanes and poor platforms and missed chances.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 4
Stable at scrum time but there were only a few. Gave away a penalty at the ruck which gave the Blues one of three second-half penalties which put the game away.
4. James Blackwell – 6
Industrious around the park making nine tackles and was one of the better line out performers on the night. Stole two Blues’ throws to peg the ledger back. Generated the most post-contact metres of the Hurricanes’ pack after Coles and carried the most times.
Strong effort but the night was summed up by his carry into Pat Tuipulotu on the last launch by the Hurricanes in the first half where he was hammered back and coughed up possession.
5. Scott Scrafton – 3
A quiet night for the Auckland-import with no carries and three tackles, missing one. Overall part of a Hurricanes’ pack that failed too much at line out time and lost the gain line battle. Subbed in 41st minute.
6. Reed Prinseep – 6
Had his first line out target stolen but improved after that. Got through a high work rate in defence with 14 tackles.
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi – 5
Played a lot of halfback off lineout at set piece. Completed six tackles without missing one and won one turnover.
Couldn’t clean Papalii out late in the first half and save his side conceding a holding on penalty.
8. Gareth Evans – 6
Became the Hurricanes’ top line out option, taking five throws. Had spurts of great play including winning a key penalty at the breakdown after a Beauden Barrett kick return and an amazing save after a Caleb Clarke line break where he won his second holding on penalty with the Hurricanes scrambling.
9. TJ Perenara – 6
Showed smarts and guile to milk first Hurricanes’ penalty. Took over the exit kicking and kicked long and deep. Played a lot as a first receiving option on a number of Hurricanes’ launches. Decision-making was influential in first half in constructing Lam’s try.
10. Jackson Garden-Bachop – 6
A solid performance for Garden-Bachop who provided good distribution on the Hurricanes’ launch plays and had a nice touch to lay on Ben Lam’s try. Took on the line early and sparked a nice exit break early in the first half.
Was reliable in the backfield and fairly safe controlling territory but was caught out rushing up with a nice grubber from TJ Ioane for Dalton Papalii’s try. His missed kicks off the tee left a few points on the table.
11. Ben Lam – 5
Finished a walk over try but was well-covered by the Blues. A few nice carries down the left edge but was kept largely in check.
12. Ngani Laumape – 5
Often sandwiched in two-man tackles by the Blues midfield which stifled his carrying at times. Defensively solid but overall a tough night for the midfielder conceding a few penalties.
13. Vince Aso – 5
Made some great reads rushing up for spot tackles behind the gain line but unfortunately his first one led to Rieko Ioane streaking away downfield and Caleb Clarke scoring the opening try. Aso recovered but missed the cover tackle on Clarke.
Came back with a brilliant miss pass on the Hurricanes’ pattern in the lead up to their first try to Coles but overall a mixed night as the pressure D didn’t pay off.
14. Wes Goosen – 5
Lost a couple of aerial contests creating spilled ball for the Hurricanes but returned the pressure on a couple of kick chase contests. Defensively made a lot of tackles for a winger. Didn’t get many opportunities in space but showed nice quick hands to free up Dane Coles for his try.
15. Chase Tiatia – 6
One of the Hurricanes’ best in the first half. Safe under the high ball and cleaned up a few other spilled balls. Provided a beautiful return ball to Jackson Garden-Bachop in the lead up to Lam’s try.
Reserves
Asafo Aumua – 4
Had his first throw stolen and penalised for offside shortly after. Brought some physicality in defence in his short burst.
Tevita Mafileo – 5
Good work rate coming into the game in the second half making six tackles and five carries.
Alex Fidow – n/a
Saw the field for the final 20 minutes.
Isaia Walker-Leawere – 5
Came on for Scrafton and offered impact.
Devan Flanders – n/a
Came on for final two minutes.
Ardie Savea – 5
Played final half hour and offered stability to the Hurricanes pack in his first action of 2020.
Jamie Booth – 5
Brought some energy to the Hurricanes and scored their final try from close range.
Billy Proctor – n/a
Had a couple of runs in 15 minute cameo.
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments