Why Chiefs vs Hurricanes is New Zealand's best grudge match
You might think Chiefs vs Highlanders or Highlanders vs Crusaders or Crusaders vs Blues or Blues vs Chiefs is the best New Zealand grudge match, but you’d be wrong, writes Jamie Wall – it’s the Chiefs vs Hurricanes. Here’s why.
Hamilton isn’t exactly the first place on everyone’s minds when they think about a great Friday night out. The best way of describing the nightlife is like a time machine that takes you back to the year 2000, a land of silver neck chains and too much hair product.
But this Friday, all eyes will be on the bright lights of The Tron. Well, the ones lighting up Waikato Stadium anyway, as the Chiefs take on the Hurricanes in what’s easily the most anticipated clash of Super Rugby’s third round. And it’s not just because both teams have been in hot form over the first couple of weeks – these teams have History.
Friday’s match shapes as another classic chapter. The Canes have had a much easier introduction against the Rebels and Sunwolves – a couple of teams that pose little more threat than some balsa wood with boots on – while the Chiefs have seen off a threatening but blundering Highlanders side, then punctured the tyres of the Blues bandwagon by giving them a hiding last weekend.
But there’s more to this match-up than form and the all important New Zealand Conference points on offer. There’s plenty more reasons this particular derby has an extra edge.
The Taranaki War: Franchises moving location is one (mostly American) thing, but a location moving franchise is another. In 2013, Hurricanes union Taranaki decided they’d had enough of having of not getting enough home games and were wooed away to become part of the Chiefs instead. In all fairness, the Canes had got the best of what the region had to offer by that stage anyway.
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Aaron Cruden: As a Chief? Brilliant. As a Hurricane… kind of frustrating. Even though Cruden made the All Blacks during his time in the capital, his form didn’t blossom into what Montpellier are willing to part with a million Euros a season for till he headed north. He’s not the only notable player to wear both jerseys – both Jonah Lomu and Tana Umaga went to the Chiefs from the Canes too, the latter’s being a little hard to take for Canes fans given there’s an entire section of Wellington’s Westpac Stadium named after him.
Ch(eat)iefs: Last year the last match the Hurricanes lost was in round nine, when the Chiefs pipped them 28-27 in Wellington. However, there’s more to this pulsating match than the scoreline and Seta Tamanivalu making everyone sit up and take notice. The Chiefs scrum was getting murdered in the last 10 minutes of the match, leading even the most novice rugby watcher in no doubt that it was only a matter of time before they’d concede a kickable scrum penalty and lose the game. Which made prop Siate Tokolahi’s injury and replacement Siegfried Fisiihoi’s sudden inability to play tighthead highly dubious to say the least. Play continued with depowered scrums. The Canes still should’ve won anyway, but winger Jason Woodward dropped a pass with the line open.
Snobbery: New Zealand may seem like a small place, but Wellington and Hamilton couldn’t be further apart in their own regional identity. The capital likes to think of itself on being a cultured, cosmopolitan city, while Hamilton takes a great deal of pride (ironic nickname aside) in its status as a dairy farming hub. All you need to do is scroll up to the first paragraph to get the general feeling that Wellingtonians have for Hamilton – no prizes for guessing which team I grew up supporting.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments