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Hurricanes Facts & Figures: Hurricanes v Blues

  • By Peter Marriott

Round 1 v Blues: Lost 16-31

The Hurricanes loss is the 18th time in 26 years they have been beaten in their opening match of a new season. The years involved are: 1996, 97, 99, 2001, 02, 03, 04, 07, 08, 09, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 21.

In 26 years of Super Rugby the Hurricanes have hosted their first match of a season on just eight occasions, and won just once. That was in 2000, against the Sharks, in their first-ever match at Westpac/Sky Stadium.

The Hurricanes have only been beaten by a margin of 15 points on one previous occasion. That was against the Lions in their Semi-final at Johannesburg in July 2017.

The Hurricanes record against the Blues is now played 36, won 18, lost 17 and drawn one.

This was the Hurricanes 350th match, including the drawn match against the British & Irish Lions in 2017.

Their overall record is played 350, won 199, lost 144 and drawn seven.

This was the Hurricanes 250th match, including the drawn match against the British & Irish Lions in 2017.

Their overall record is played 250, won 148, lost 95 and drawn seven.

Paul Williams was the appointed referee for just his second match involving the Hurricanes. His first was their match against the Force at Palmerston North in March 2016. However, he has made a third appearance. In May 2018, in the Hurricanes match against the Blues in Auckland, Williams replaced Jaco Peyper when he was unable to resume after halftime.

Ardie Savea became the 19th player to captain the Hurricanes and the 10th to lose his first match in charge.

He is also the 12th forward to captain the franchise.

Savea also brought up a personal milestone by becoming the 16th player to appear in 100 matches for the Hurricanes.

Luke Campbell made his debut becoming the 265th player to appear in a match for the Hurricanes.

Jonathan Taumateine started his first game, in his third appearance for the Hurricanes. He is the 18th different player to start a Super Rugby match at Halfback. Together with Jackson Garden-Bachop he formed the 50th Halfback/First Five-eighth combination to start a Super Rugby match for the Hurricanes. In 12 starts Garden-Bachop has now combined with four different partners.

Devan Flanders made his first start at No 8. His previous two starts were at Flanker.

Vaea Fifita, Devan Flanders and Ardie Savea partnered for the 100th different Flanker/No 8/Flanker Super Rugby combination for the Hurricanes.

Asafo Aumua scored two tries, the first time he has done so in a Super Rugby match. He is the 47th player to score two or more tries in a match for the Hurricanes.

The last forward to score two tries in a match for the Hurricanes was Vaea Fifita, against the Blues, in July 2016.

Two yellow cards were awarded to Hurricanes players: James Blackwell and Du’Plessis Kirifi. Neither had received one previously.

Blues player Otere Black continued his outstanding kicking form against his old team, the Hurricanes. In his last five matches he has kicked 4/4, 3/3, 6/6, 2/3 and 5/5. That’s one miss from 21 attempts at goal. The only kick he has missed was the final one in the fourth match when the ball hit the upright and failed to go over. His last kick of this match hit the upright and did go over.

The first try scored by the Blues, to Dalton Papali’i, was the 400th conceded by the Hurricanes against all other New Zealand sides.

The Hurricanes play the Crusaders in Christchurch on Sunday at 4.35pm.

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