Friday’s Games:

Hurricanes VS Reds: The Hurricanes moved closer to making their playoff hopes a reality when the recorded an amazing ‘come from behind’ victory over the Reds at Westpac Stadium on Friday.

The Hurricanes opened the try scoring sheet when in form fullback, Cory Jane crossed the chalk for a well worked try, after Hosea Gear broke through the Reds’ defense and popped the ball inside for Jane to cross over.

After the try, the Reds game to the game, racing ahead to a 21- 8 lead within the next 20 minutes, but Hosea Gear scored a try after the half time hooter, to narow the gap, and keep the Hurricanes in the game.

After the break, it was the Hurricanes who played most of the rugby, scoring four more tries and keeping the Reds scoreless over the next 50 minutes.

Hosea Gear was superb on the night, scoring a hat trick of tries, but it was Cory Jane who was deservedly named man of the match, continuing his superb form that will surely see him, once again,  named in the All Black squad.

My two cents worth:

  • Holy crap, Rod Davies is quick. I would love to see a sprint-off featuring him, Bryan Habana, Jongi Nokwe, Danwel Demas, Philip Burger, Lachie Turner,  Rudi Wulf and Joe Rokocoko.
  • Cory Jane has been in superb form this season and has been a rock at the back for the Hurricanes, even when the Hurricanes have played below par.
  • The Reds had way more territory than the Hurricanes, but the Hurricanes used their chances more effectively, crossing over for 6 tries in total.
  • Will Genia is a brilliant player. Seems he has a bit of a temper when things don’t go well though.
  • Digby Ione, as always, was strong with ball in hand, gaining 99m on the night.

Hurricanes VS Reds 2010 Highlights: [tonytai2017]

Scorecard:

Hurricanes: 44

Tries: Cory Jane 11m; Hosea Gear (3) 42m, 47m, 59m; Tamati Ellison 51m; David Smith 75m

Conversions: 4/6 (67%) Piri Weepu 4/6 (67%)

Penalties: 2/2 (100%) Piri Weepu 2/2 (100%)

Reds: 21

Tries: Scott Higginbotham 18m; Rod Davies 26m; Will Chambers 29m

Conversions: 3/3 (100%) Quade Cooper 3/3 (100%)

Penalties: 0/2 (0%) Quade Cooper 0/2 (0%)

Bulls VS Crusaders: The Crusaders arrived  at Loftus with their ‘A game’ on Friday night, when they took on the Bulls, in what was always going to be one of the most fiercely contested battles of the season.

The Bulls’ lack of defense this season was shown up early on. The Crusaders ran in 3 tries within the first 28 minutes, before the Bulls managed to rally and begin staging their comeback, scoring 2 unanswered tries before the half time hooter, enabling them to claw their way back into the match.

Majority of the excitement was left until the dying minutes of the game though, when both teams became more and more desperate for the win, with the lead see-sawing back and forth a number of times.

The Crusaders managed to move ahead with just moments left in the game, and it looked as if Dan Carter, who had been heavily criticised during the lead up to the game, for his dip in form, had all but secured the win. The Bulls managed to regain possession though, and moved the ball into drop goal territory, with just seconds left on the clock, they were awarded the scrum. Enter, the golden boot of Morne Steyn, but his attempted drop goal was charged down.

Wynand Olivier gathered, passed out to Stephan Dippenaar, who set up the ruck. The Bulls moved the ball quickly to the left, with Bandise Maku taking it up, (Now this is where the Crusaders will be moaning for seasons to come) offloading, with the ball touching a Crusaders hand, before Francois Hougaard brilliantly scooped it up and raced to the line for the winning try.

My two cents worth:

  • Repeat after me: Rugby 101 – point 1, Always, Always play until the whistle!
  • Francois Hougaard was amazing on the night, scoring two brilliant tries and gaining 146m with ball in hand. He is an absolute must for RWC 2011
  • Zane Kirchner is not, I repeat, not the answer for the Springbok #15 jumper, blowing hot and cold all season, and missing 5 tackles on the night. PDV needs to get Frans Steyn on speed dial.
  • The Bulls once again set the standard, as the have all season, with their ‘slow poison/strangle’ style of rugby, but their defense remains a problem. That kak wont fly in a final.
  • Richie McCaw looked absolutely livid after the game. I suspect Gerhaard Van den Heever will be suspended to restore balance to the universe.

Bulls VS Crusaders 2010 Highlights: [tonytai2017]

Scorecard:

Bulls: 40

Tries: Francois Hougaard (2) 31m, 82m; Victor Matfield 40m

Conversions: 2/3 (67%) Morne Steyn 2/3 (67%)

Penalties: 5/6 (83%) Morne Steyn 5/6 (83%)

Drop goals: 2/2 (100%) Morne Steyn 2/2 (100%)

Crusaders: 35

Tries: Brad Thorn 10m; Andrew Ellis 18m; Sean Maitland 28m; T’ii Paulo 48m

Conversions: 3/4 (75%) Daniel Carter 3/4 (75%)

Penalties: 2/3 (67%) Daniel Carter 2/3 (67%)

Drop goals: 1/1 (100%) Daniel Carter 1/1 (100%)