
When the Hurricanes played Moana Pasifika at Upper Hutt in Mid-February in pre-season. Three months later, they host them at Wellington Stadium tonight in round 13 of the Super Rugby competition.
- By Kevin McCarthy
We lost – but heck, yes, that was a proper rugby match last weekend at Eden Park.
Amid the realisation that people still turn out for a real matchup derby, and the belated recognition that daytime rugby is an actual viable, attractive thing, I would like to drop one uncomfortable thought.
The Blues are boring.
They maybe winning, but they are boring. Forward focused, truck it up. It’s the modern style of positional warfare, where a midfield turnover or most often a penalty, serves up a close-range opportunity to muscle over in the corner.
Nothing wrong with that, rugby is not a game of one style trumps all. Otherwise, what would England do.
And if the Hurricanes must do it boring to get across the line in the playoffs stage, then we will cheer them to the rafters.
Still, there’s a little bit of sadness in seeing the Blues not hit the go button on their backs more often – as we know they have talent to burn there.
If there is rematch of these two sides come the playoffs, the Canes will certainly have to nail their restarts and try to give as few opportunities to the Blues grinder as possible.
So, onto Moana Pasifika tonight (Friday) and the Hurricanes must of course win – but also look to wallop. Often dangerous parameters to go into a game with, but they do need to shorten the PF/PA gap to the Blues – and keep racking up those bonus points.
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Farewell Sam Cane. Or maybe not quite yet.
With super rugby heading for its climax, I’m not paying much attention to the speculation whirly gig around the first squad of the Scott Robertson era.
There’s plenty of water to run, plenty of injuries to come – and not that much time to whip together the first team for what should on paper be a testing mini-series against the English.
Especially with a bit of Japanese rust to blow off in the case of some players.
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Celebrations this week in Hawkes’ Bay.
They’ve managed to follow the Ikea instruction leaflet for reconstructing the Ranfurly Shield.
You’ll remember that it suffered at the hands of players in a post-match, er, celebration, the exact details of which have gone on tour, and are likely to stay on tour.
Good work. Now keep it as safe you promised to, until the next custodian comes along.
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Do you know, or know of people who know, a Crusaders fan?
Have you thought about how your comments and actions might affect that person?
There is not, yet, a help phoneline for people in your situation, or indeed, for Crusaders fans.
Safe responses however – at least until or if the defending champions finish ninth – are to express disbelief, or words of encouragement.
This is both for their safety, and for your safety – in the event the Crusaders do nick into eighth, and then go on an epic title run.
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Hurricanes team to face Moana Pasifika at Sky Stadium, Friday 17 May, 7:05pm.
1. Pouri Rakete-Stones (Ngāpuhi)
2. Raymond Tuputupu (Faleasiu, Nuku’alofa)
3. Siale Lauaki (Saina Faleata and Samatau)
4. Justin Sangster (Tauranga)
5. Ben Grant (Te Tai Kōura)
6. Brad Shields (C) (Masterton)
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (Iva (Savai’i – Sāmoa)
8. Devan Flanders (Te Matau a Māui)
9. Richard Judd (Thames Valley)
10. Aidan Morgan (Tāmaki Makaurau)
11. Kini Naholo (Nadroumai Village, Sigatoka, Fiji)
12. Peter Umaga-Jensen (Leulumoega & Afega (Upolu) and Sagone (Savai’i)
13. Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu)
14. Daniel Sinkinson (Waikato)
15. Harry Godfrey (Hunterville)
16. James O’Reilly (Lower Hutt)
17. Xavier Numia (Saoluafata (Upolu-Samoa)
18. Pasilio Tosi (Niua Toputapu)
19. Isaia Walker-Leawere (Ngāti Porou/ Galoa, Korovisolou & Serua (Fiji)
20. Peter Lakai (Longomapu and Vaini Tonga)
21. Jordi Viljoen (South Africa)
22. Riley Higgins (Ngāti Porou)
23. Salesi Rayasi (Lau, Matuku/Qalikurua (Fiji), Savai’i, Palauli (Samoa)
Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, Cam Roigard, James Tucker, Caleb Delany, Billy Proctor.