Hurricanes v Chiefs Stat Attack

Salesi Rayasi makes a break against the Chiefs. PHOTO: Mike Lewis Pictures.

• By Peter Marriott.

Round 4 v Chiefs: Lost 29-35

The Hurricanes record against the Chiefs is now played 39, won 21, lost 16 and drawn two.

The Hurricanes have lost their first three matches of the season, for just the second time in their history. The only previous occasion was in 2014, when they won their fourth match.

The Hurricanes have actually lost their last four matches on the trot: the final match of 2020, and the first three of 2021 as mentioned above.

They have previously experienced sequences of four losses in a row on four occasions: (1996, 2007, 2010 and 2011) and five in succession on three occasions 1998-99, 2002-03 and 2003-04). Their worst-ever losing sequence, however, was when they lost eight in a row: the last five matches of 2013 and the first three in 2014.

This was the Hurricanes’ 150th match against all other New Zealand sides. They have won 72, lost 73 and drawn five.

The Hurricanes have lost their first two matches at home venues, for just the third time. This previously occurred in 1998 and 2012.

After four rounds of Super Rugby Aotearoa the Hurricanes have scored the fewest tries (eight) and, along with the Chiefs, have conceded the most tries (14).

The Hurricanes halftime lead of 19 points is the most they have recorded since being ahead 26-0 against the Rebels at Wellington in May 2019.

Ardie Savea has now lost his first three matches in charge. He is just the second Hurricanes captain to experience this. Jon Preston lost the last three matches of 1998 and did not lead the side again.

After three matches Jordie Barrett remains the only player to have been on the field for the maximum number of minutes played (240).

Jordie Barrett kicked three conversions, the first for the Hurricanes in 2021. He had missed with his four attempts in the first two matches.

Ngani Laumape started his 70th Super Rugby match at Second Five-eighth to create a new Hurricanes record for most starts in that position. Previously the record of 69 starts had been held by Ma’a Nonu.

James O’Reilly made his first appearance for the Hurricanes since the Semi-final match against the Crusaders at Christchurch in July 2018. He missed 34 matches in the interim.

Orbyn Leger made his debut thus becoming the 266th player to appear for the Hurricanes. He had previously played seven matches for the Blues and three for the Chiefs. He is the 20th player to start at First-Five-eighth for the Hurricanes.

Orbyn Leger and James O’Reilly brought the number of players to have made an appearance for the Hurricanes this year to 28.

Luke Campbell started his first match for the Hurricanes to become the 19th different player to start at Halfback. He is also the fourth different player to start in that position in the Hurricanes last five matches.

Campbell and Leger together became the 51st different Halfback/First-Five eighth combination to start a Super Rugby match for the Hurricanes. And it was just the second time a first-up combination had started a match since the Hurricanes first-ever game against the Blues at Palmerston North on 1 March 1996. The combination for that match was Jon Preston and Jamie Cameron. The score that day: 36-28 to the Blues.

Julian Savea and Salesi Rayasi became the 72nd different combination to start a match on the Wing.

Salesi Rayasi scored two tries for the second time in his Hurricanes career. He now has five tries (from nine matches) including an earlier one against the Chiefs at Wellington in 2019.

Ricky Riccitelli also scored his fifth try: his first against the Chiefs. He also scored a try in the Hurricanes previous match, against the Crusaders.

Tyrel Lomax, Ricky Riccitelli and Xavier Numia combined to make the 78th different starting front-row for theHurricanes in Super Rugby.

Campbell scored his first Super Rugby try, in his third match.

Chase Tiatia, who played 16 matches for the Hurricanes in 2019-20, scored a try for the Chiefs.

Referee Ben O’Keeffe controlled his 14th match involving the Hurricanes. They have now won seven, and lost seven.

The Hurricanes overall record in all Super Rugby matches is played 351, won 199, lost 146 and drawn six.

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