The Crusaders escaped Wellington with a win, however solely narrowly after some poor selections late within the piece compounded strain within the windy metropolis.
Main 31-10 heading into the ultimate quarter of the competition, two yellow playing cards in fast succession additional invigorated an already keen Hurricanes outfit, and within the dying moments, there have been mere metres standing between the hosts and a score-levelling attempt.
Possession was misplaced within the driving maul and the clutch efforts of Hurricanes flankers Du’Plessis Kirifi and Peter Lakai had been in the end to no avail outdoors of a shedding bonus level.
Listed here are some takeaways from the competition.
Solely two true contenders in New Zealand
The Hurricanes had a gradual begin to the 2025 season, however even with some extra promising showings over latest weeks, the crew are nonetheless outdoors the playoff image and nonetheless haven’t confirmed they might make a lot noise if they’re to sneak in.
Because it stands, the Wellingtonians are the most probably Kiwi outfit to affix the Crusaders and Chiefs within the prime six, however with simply three wins from eight video games, they’re a far cry from the aspect that claimed the highest spot on the 2024 desk.
Clark Laidlaw’s males are excelling with regards to successful turnovers and beating tackles, main the competitors within the latter metric, however are steadily center of the pack in all different areas.
A season in the past the Hurricanes had been carrying, kicking, offloading and in the end scoring at a considerably increased clip than they’re at the moment.
Whereas stars like Du’Plessis Kirifi and Peter Lakai inject momentum with massive performs on a weekly foundation – the latter produced maybe his greatest exhibiting of the season tonight – it’s clear their different game-breakers are struggling to make an influence.
Ruben Love has had a quiet season outdoors of the Waratahs recreation and, once more, was unable to generate any go-forward for his aspect, regardless of commendable resilience in the hunt for doing so.
Asafo Aumua is but to place collectively a rampaging efficiency like people who we had been handled to on the common in 2024 and noticed him return to the All Blacks setup.
The Canes now face a two-week highway journey to Australia, the place they’ll face the Force and Brumbies in hopes of getting their season again on monitor.
Crusaders use Wellington wind against Hurricanes
Young duo Noah Hotham and Taha Kemara clearly had their marching orders heading into this one: Use the swirling Wellington wind in opposition to the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes backfield of Ruben Love and Riley Hohepa had been put underneath all types of strain underneath various kicks, with the peak and unpredictability of the kicking recreation giving chasers loads of time to rise up of their face because the ball discovered the turf.
It wasn’t excellent, with a number of poorly judged kicks going too far or simply losing high quality attacking alternative. However, given it’s the hosts who’re most used to the Wellington circumstances, seeing the guests use it higher to their benefit was a shock and little doubt a giant disappointment for the Canes coaches.
The Bluesprint in full impact
Some chatter has surfaced over latest weeks round Kiwi groups’ ways as soon as within the opposition 22. Whereas expansive rugby has lengthy been the bread and butter of New Zealand rugby, a extra direct, up-the-guts method has been the calling card for the 5 Tremendous Rugby sides of late.
The direct recreation will not be new, however after a season through which the Blues dominated by hammering the line of defense in shut and shrinking the line of defense earlier than unleashing the ball huge, it seems that success has been replicated.
The Crusaders had been glad to have their halfback take a break as soon as the Hurricanes’ line was in sight, with massive ball runners like Tamatiti Williams proving damaging with pick-and-go carries across the ruck.
Rob Penney’s aspect additionally took their possibilities down the blindside, even when there was little house to work with, as massive props targetted smaller backs on the quick aspect.
Sevu takes a step toward centre stage
Sevu Reece’s midfield debut last week in Suva was a quiet one, and it didn’t look as if the Crusaders would be in a rush to give the All Blacks wing another crack there.
However, with both Crusaders midfielders departing the field with injuries, Reece got another opportunity in Wellington.
While the Fijian game was purely a defensive performance from Reece, the Hurricanes game saw the 28-year-old find some space and use his pace to carve open the Canes line.
His big break of the game – while occupying the midfield – came on a first-phase strike play, where his pace and commitment to his line caught Bailyn Sullivan off guard and exploited a niche. Reece has all the time had an excellent passing recreation for an outdoor again, and he launched a rocket NASA could be happy with to maintain the play alive.
The speedster has all the time been at his greatest when enjoying with the liberty to become involved all around the subject, and in a recreation the place he might get his palms soiled across the ruck and have as many passes as Will Jordan and Ruben Love, Reece seemed proper at house at 13.
