‘Canes storm as Blues blown away
10 Feb 2006
Five tries in the space of 30 minutes following the half-time break saw the Hurricanes explode to a 37-19 victory over the Blues in the Vodacom Super 14 opener, despite trailing 16-3.
In a game remarkable for the contrasting nature of the halves, the Blues’ early game incisiveness and precision evaporated into a caning in a final 40 in which the Wellington all-star backline delivered an awesome display of attacking running and opportunism.
Coach David Nucifora would be forgiven for scratching his head. Up by plenty, with tight five dominance secured – spearheaded by All Black loosehead Tony Woodcock – saw the ‘Canes struggling to even secure their own scrums. The all-international loose trio of Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins and Rodney So’oialo were nowhere, transparent behind a tight five retreating rapidly.
The nature of the comeback was so emphatic that not even a downpour could maintain the momentum.
Hurricanes flyer Lome Fa’atau score after an impressive two-phase backline move – started from the crumbs of a demolished scrum – in the 44th minute ensured the ‘Canes registered the first score after the break.
Even the most opportunistic ‘Canes fan would have seen it at best as a foot in the door, and not the opening stanza of the demolishment that followed.
All Black sensation Isaia Toeava, just 20, made the scoring pass to Fa’atau, an inspired inside flick, and it was his vision 13 mins later that found captain Tana Umaga for the score that brought the ‘Canes within a solitary point.
Umaga’s immediate departure following the score allowed Ma’a Nonu to slot into midfield, where his brute power was the perfect weapon to take on the vulnerable Blues inside backs Tasesa Lavea and Luke McAlister.
Bang on the hour mark Nonu’s strength in the tackle and acceleraton saw him under the sticks, and an emphatic 20-minute turnaround was secured.
Late scores by Collins and a second for Fa’atau underlined the near-flawless second half display, and ensured a full house of five points away from home.
It was 40 minutes respendant in all that will make the ‘Canes genuine semi-final contenders this year. Once adequate possession was secured, the back row ran rampant and the backline’s plethora of skills dazzled.
The performance sets a marker, and the ease in which the talented Blues side were blown away is a testament to just how good the ‘Canes were.
SCORERS
Blues – Try: Atiga. Conversion: McAlister. Penalties: McAlister (4).
Hurricanes – Tries: Fa’atau (2), Umaga, Nonu, Collins. Conversions: Gopperth (2), Holwell. Penalties: Gopperth, Howell.
31 Comments
10 Feb 2006, 10:35 am
DRAGONS!!!!
10 Feb 2006, 10:45 am
Mmmmmm … well there goes my 100% prediction rate I was hoping for in 2006
10 Feb 2006, 10:46 am
Eish also picked the Blues to win by ten- not a good start !
10 Feb 2006, 10:51 am
Sh*t, fell at the first hurdle. man there goes my stats for the S14.
Well maybe that R100 on teh Sharks to take it wasnt to bad after all.
10 Feb 2006, 10:55 am
First upset,signed and sealed. Tonite Bulls put 20 + points passed the Cheetahs. Oops,soory that wouldn’t be an upset.
10 Feb 2006, 11:00 am
What an upset! I think this year its the SURPRIZE 14
10 Feb 2006, 11:02 am
Hahahahaha .. at this rate we’ll have a cats – shark final after a force – reds semi ;o)
10 Feb 2006, 11:10 am
Can’t believe you guys were banking on a Blues win. Have you taken a look at that Hurricanes side!!! Apart from a slight weekness in the tight five they are awesome. From 6 up they are up to if not better than the crusaders this year. They just needed to get into gear which they seemed unable to do in the first half.
10 Feb 2006, 11:10 am
Man oh man , this must have been a very good game to watch. Damn i hate working when there’s rugby on tv , time i get a tv in this office. Hope they going to show highlights of this game over the weekend.
10 Feb 2006, 11:14 am
You guys laugh about the sharks. True this weekends starting fifteen doesn’t look that strong, but wait till Tony Brown takes over at flyhalf, Percy moves back to fullback, Butch James comes back in at inside centre, Gcobani Bobo realises his full potential, they start Russel on the wing, Smit comes back and takes over the captaincy, Farani is a revelation at 8, and the Samoan wings score lots of tries. Give the sharks three weeks maybe four and they’ll be a force to be reckoned with. Lets hope that’s not too late.
10 Feb 2006, 11:17 am
What is the latest on T Brown and Butch?
10 Feb 2006, 11:17 am
Hurricanes backs and loosies were brilliant, just watched the game. Nonu is wasted at wing and Umaga is still class. But their tight 5 is weak and I think the Bulls, Crusader, Wharatahs and Cheetahs will bliksem them upfront.
It’s gonna be interesting
10 Feb 2006, 11:19 am
Andre, I watched the game, first half wasn’t so great, neither team really getting any momentum going, but in the second half the Hurricanes and especially Ma’a Nonu at incide centre were brilliant. In the second half the score was 34-3 in favour of the ‘canes. You wouldn’t think they were playing against the blues. The blues were a bit disappointing though looking far more dangerous on attack in the first half.
10 Feb 2006, 11:20 am
well it seems (with the force facing a hiding of note) teams in blue jerseys will cry long tears after round 1
10 Feb 2006, 11:23 am
I read that Butch and Tony Brown should be back in action at the same time John Smit finishes his ban. So as I said in three of four weeks time the sharks are going to be a totally different team.
10 Feb 2006, 11:24 am
PA Thank god the cats changed to red!
10 Feb 2006, 11:25 am
Gotta go put my morning gym session in before golf.
Cheers
10 Feb 2006, 11:25 am
RedCard .. I second that … any chance the stormers are switching to blue ;o)
10 Feb 2006, 11:25 am
so who needs a tight five then?? lol
10 Feb 2006, 11:27 am
Paws well they play in blue in other tounaments? Does that count?
10 Feb 2006, 11:31 am
RedCard … well take what we can get …
10 Feb 2006, 11:39 am
Why is everyone so negative about the Force team. They have been putting this franchise together for a couple of months now and the coach is no dummy. i dont think they will do worse than any of the S.A sides in log standings. Time will tell..
10 Feb 2006, 11:51 am
Andre WP, I think there’s a special Friday nite show of an hour directly after the game that will cover the days games. Specially for people like us who sit at work during the day. Except of course for tonite, when my work day ends I’m heading straight for the local,don’t even stop to collect R 200 my boy. Beer and an almighty game tonite. Will sleep nicely.
10 Feb 2006, 11:53 am
I see the Stomers are only playing the Hurricanes in the fifth week, by then they will be sick of traveling and will be easy meat for us….:-)
10 Feb 2006, 12:30 pm
Blueblood
Yip , also not working late today , hope it’s not going to rain down in Bloem tonight. But i will be sitting in the bar and watching the game on big screen with lots of beers mmmmm and tomorrow the same thing when my team is playing. Tonight i will stand behind the Cheetha’s because i am working in the freestate , so they my backup team , tomorrow i shout stormers again
10 Feb 2006, 12:40 pm
Hobo
its always easy to be a smart *** after the game given that the blues are npc champs i would have
expected them to pull this one through but thats the canes if their forwards can get them half decent ball on a good day their backs/loosies can blow any side away.
10 Feb 2006, 13:03 pm
True to form, Keo’s bones have cocked up the result once again.
10 Feb 2006, 15:44 pm
Keo really should stop playing with his bone.
10 Feb 2006, 20:28 pm
Blues lose to cthe Canes in week 1, no more betting for me. The Super 14 is going to be a fantastic competition, I hope that we all see more tries and big hits and less referees and bad commentators, keo enough with the bones, use the internet, its way more modern.
11 Feb 2006, 02:42 am
wow, interesting. The Hurricanes blow hot and cold, maybe this year it is hot
13 Feb 2006, 19:09 pm
_Team Current Points Potential Points Played PointsDifference
Crusaders 5 65 1 23
Hurricanes 5 65 1 18
Bulls 5 65 1 12
Brumbies 4 64 1 15
Stormers 4 64 1 11
Sharks 4 64 1 9
Waratahs 4 64 1 4
Reds 1 61 1 -4
Chiefs 0 60 1 -9
Cats 0 60 1 -11
Cheetahs 0 60 1 -12
Force 0 60 1 -15
Blues 0 60 1 -18
Highlanders 0 60 1 -23
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