Blues to win by 5 over the Hurricanes
Highlanders to win by 3 over the Chiefs
Finally, this week, one of my predictions came true as the Highlanders edged the improved Chiefs side by two points in the final minute on Sunday- although the Hurricanes stepped up to beat a Blues side who are now slipping in their title race.
Hurricanes vs Blues
The return match of the competition opener was played at Sky Stadium, Wellington where the improved Hurricanes hosted the Blues. The away side claimed the first points through an Otere Black penalty- 0-3. However the ‘Canes were in no mood to mess about, as shortly after some good phase play saw a long ball thrown to centre Ngani Laumape, who burned old teammate Beauden Barrett for pace to score in the corner- sending his home crowd into raptures. Jordie Barrett converted- 7-3.
The ex- Wellington fullback was dissatisfied with this though, and within a few minutes the Blues got down the other end and Barrett steamed through the ‘Canes defence on a hardline to score under the posts. Black converted- 7-10.
This pulsating start continued as Laumape came close to scoring once again and a Jordie Barrett try was ruled out due to a forward pass. The home side dominated this early period with high quality attacking play and quick ball at the ruck and Barrett even hit the post with an attempted penalty goal.
At half an hour in, the Blues drove a great maul from a line out on the ‘Canes 5’ and try machine Dalton Papali’i got another one as he fell on the ball over the line. 7-15 after Black hit the post with his conversion.
The Hurricanes weren’t fazed by this and claimed a try of their own as Reed Prinsep scored from another driving maul to take the scores to 12-15. Barrett claimed a penalty goal for the home side just before half time to make sure they went in level- 15-15.
Some great early attacking by the ‘Canes saw hooker Dane Coles canter in under the posts- 22-15. However, the Blues soon got into the home side’s 22’ and flanker Akira Ioane barged his way over to score from close range- 22-22 at 60 minutes in.
A further driving maul then saw Blues hooker Kurt Eklund crash over to put his side in the lead- 22-27. The Hurricanes weren’t satisfied with this and set up yet another driving maul which saw replacement hooker Asafo Aumua score under a pile of bodies. The excellent conversion by Jordie Barrett meant the home side edged the game in the final few minutes. FT- Hurricanes 29-27 Blues
It was an epic finish to an epic game- the attacking from both sides was clinical and the quality driving mauls from both sides secured most of the points. The Hurricanes seem to have found some form- if they keep this up they could be looking at a brilliant finish to a tournament they started poorly. The Blues on the other hand appear to have lost some of the fire they possessed in the first half of the tournament- they have lost their last two games and cannot afford to slip further points if they want to still compete with the Crusaders for the title.
