Hurricanes to win by 3 over the Crusaders
Blues to win by 5 over the Chiefs
I forgot to post my predictions this week, but I wrote them down pre-match. The teams I predicted both won, although by slightly different score lines.
Crusaders vs Hurricanes
It was set to be a thrilling clash in Christchurch as the in-form Hurricanes attempted to topple the Crusaders’ 36 winning streak at home. Would the Champions be able to continue their streak against the improved team from Wellington?
The away side started extremely well, with plenty of dangerous attacking play seen in the first stanza. Their early pressure amounted to a penalty from Jordie Barrett although this was countered by a Crusaders penalty soon after by Richie Mo’unga. 3-3 after 12 minutes.
The Champions then took the lead after a quality line out on the Canes 5′ saw Jack Goodhue pop a sublime offload to the in-form Mo’unga- who touched down next to the posts. 10-3.
The Hurricanes didn’t stop though, as they got down the other end and demonstrated some of the quality attack seen earlier in the game. Centre Peter Umaga-Jensen burst through a gap in the Crusaders’ defence before passing to wing Wes Goosen, who stormed into the corner. Barrett converted and minutes later added a penalty- to take the scores to 10-13.
This back-and-forth play continued as wing Sevu Reece exchanged a 1-2 with Bryn Hall before sprinting through and throwing a long ball to George Bridge- who half-vollyed the ball over the line and dived on it for the try- 17-13. This was also voted try of the week!
Just prior to half time, the Hurricanes struck back with another try of their own as the ball was moved from one end of the pitch to the other and Goosen went steaming in again for his second try of the match. Barrett added another penalty in the 40th minute and so at the break the scores were- 17-21.
After the break, Mo’unga and Barrett exchanged penalties before the in-form Umaga-Jensen scored a great try in the corner, assisted by substitute Vince Aso. 20-31.
The home team weren’t out of the game yet though as the forwards picked and drove relentlessly until replacement lock Quinten Strange crashed over to score- 27-31.
Barrett added yet another penalty for the Hurricanes to push the scores to 27-34, but the game-changing Mo’unga had other ideas. He dummied through a gap in the ‘Canes defensive line and then threw a long pass to wing Reece- who scored in the corner. However, he couldn’t quite make the touchline conversion and the scores stayed at 32-34.
The Crusaders had one final burst down the wing, but the influential Barrett got a crucial turnover in the final minute to bring them down. FT Crusaders 32-34 Hurricanes.
It was an incredible game in Christchurch as the much-improved Hurricanes toppled the Crusaders at home for the first time since October 2016. The team from Wellington have the potential to finish really high in the tournament if they can win their last games- they now sit 3rd in the table, a point behind the Blues. The Crusaders must win their final games if they will win the tournament as competition is closing in on them.
