‘Canes march on
16 Apr 2006
The Hurricanes took another step towards hosting a Vodacom Super 14 semi-final when they beat the Highlanders 29-13 at the House of Pain on Sunday.
The ‘Canes scored five tries to two and would have recorded a far more emphatic victory had flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth not missed all seven of his attempts at goal. In the end it was left to replacement David Holwell to add the extras to the final two tries of the afternoon.
The Highlanders got off to a great start when flyhalf Callum Bruce took a quick tap penalty from 5m out, but the visitors hit back immediately with Ma’a Nonu putting midfielder partner Tana Umaga into space.
Gopperth’s shocking kicking effort had a negative impact on the rest of his game and he dropped a simple pass from scrumhalf Piri Weepu in his own 22. Carl Hayman picked up the loose ball and passed to fellow Highlanders prop Clarke Dermody who scored the try.
The Highlanders led 13-5 at the break and the ‘Canes responded by replacing Gopperth with Holwell.
Four tries from second-rower Jason Eaton, winger Lome Fa’atau and fullback Isaia Toeava (2) saw them dominate the second half and rack up 24 unanswered points.
The ‘Canes now head to Canberra to play the in-form Brumbies, while the Highlanders have a bye before facing the Waratahs in Dunedin.
Scorers:
Highlanders – Tries: Callum Bunce, Clarke Dermody. Penalty: Ben Blair.
Hurricanes – Tries: Tana Umaga, Isaia Toeava (2), Jason Eaton, Lome Fa’atau. Conversions: David Holwell (2).
24 Comments
16 Apr 2006, 05:55 am
I didnt know they started . will watch now
16 Apr 2006, 06:16 am
The Canes are the rank outsiders to win the whole S14 thing, but that they CAN do the job is not in question.
Four tries already!
GO the Canes!
16 Apr 2006, 06:20 am
Make the Bulls task almost impossible. If the Brumbies win today (which will be tough) the Bulls will be playing to see which SA team will finish highest some consolation being the best of the worst).
16 Apr 2006, 06:22 am
Make the Bulls task almost impossible. If the Brumbies win today (which will be tough) the Bulls will be playing to see which SA team will finish highest some consolation being the best of the worst).
SA players should watch the Hurricanes and learn how to run into space and offload in the tackle as opposed to running into the tackle and dying with the ball.
16 Apr 2006, 06:44 am
The Bulls?
Aaag please!
The Bulls can’t even possibly get a home semifinal.
And we all know how absolutely craparoni they are away from Loftus!
It’s all over, rover.
Super Fourteen’s business end will be entirely uncontaminated by South Africans. (Well, except for Greg Rawlinson and that’s a long odds bet!)
16 Apr 2006, 07:03 am
Tackler
Don’t forget about Dan Vickermann and Rathbone, they too will be there in the play-offs.
16 Apr 2006, 07:28 am
That’s what I was saying – they won’t even get an away semi final.
16 Apr 2006, 07:39 am
Bulls are a gonna! The accused are:
1. Heyneke Meyer
2. Victor Matfield
3. Linston Manuels
16 Apr 2006, 08:02 am
One is almost tempted to feel a twinge of sorrow or pity for these cocky big-talking Japies who appear at the start of every season and who rubbish the opponents by appending to them various contemptuous names like “Rubble Reds” or the folk from “Hickville Hamilton” and so on….
It makes is all that sweeter when these scorned and ridiculed people come out and completely SMOKE the very best talent the rugby world of South Africa can offer.
No, there’s no feeling of sympathy or sorrow !
New Zealand smiles and laughs and giggles as yet another SA campaign tanks !
16 Apr 2006, 08:03 am
Well what can one say about this weekend.The Stormers under Fester are the worst they have been in years.The bad news is they don’t look like a side going anywhere.The mighty Bulls seem to be out of ideas and the Cheetahs though brave enough they just don’t have the quality.The Cats are to poor to say much about and the only side that looks like they have a plan and are on their way somewhere is the Sharks.It is bitterly disappointing to be a SA rugby fan today.Is there a way forward and if so then which way???
I honestly believe that a once and for all restructuring of our rugger is the only hope.We must have a 6 team Currie Cup.The top 5 play Super 14 and the bottom team get’s relegated to an 8 team Vodacom cup,being replaced by the winner of the Vodacom Cup.The Vodacom Cup can be played overlapping the Super14 and the Currie Cup can start after the completion of the S14.
16 Apr 2006, 08:05 am
Tackler and the other dimwits,
The 4th placed Brumbies may have a game in hand but still have to overcome the top 3 teams in the comp … Waratahs, Hurricanes and the Crusaders to make the semis.
3 losses and 3 wins to maybe the Bulls or Sharks and there is an outside chance. Look who the Sharks and Bulls have left.
16 Apr 2006, 08:07 am
Touche tackles
Too much talk for sure.It is a SA disease called blind optimism with a sprinkling of good old arrogance.It leaves a foul taste and is embarrasing to those of us who are not infected by this disease.
16 Apr 2006, 08:09 am
20 points from 4 games could put any number of sides in to the semi’s.Though still possible it is becoming highly improbable.
16 Apr 2006, 08:11 am
Tackler is right. The Bulls are useless. Everything Tackler says about the Bulls is correct.
What a bunch of pathetic losers.
Tackler for president.
16 Apr 2006, 08:13 am
Blueblood are you suffering a bout of depression?
16 Apr 2006, 08:19 am
tt the judas from sa. Good one mate.
16 Apr 2006, 08:29 am
Looks like Simon went back to sleep after his “more to follow..” at 5.46.
Probably too depressed to continue. Even the Sharks played **** rugby in beating the Cats.
16 Apr 2006, 08:32 am
Habana should leave the bulls he is a quality player an they useing him as a quota! tell me im wrong??
16 Apr 2006, 08:34 am
Cheer up all at least the Force are still bottom it has been some time since the Wooden Spoon left our shores!!!!!
16 Apr 2006, 08:36 am
Rastafox
Don’t talk too soon. The Cats and Stormers are trying their best.
16 Apr 2006, 08:38 am
Perhaps a little early you’re right.
16 Apr 2006, 09:03 am
Tackler
I have NEVER experienced kiwis as being spiteful; in my experience they have always been gracious, as exemplified by CSI:Rugby. Please do not misrepresent them.
Kia ora CSI!
16 Apr 2006, 10:15 am
the sharks hav the force and stormers to play, guaranteed 10pts there. the bulls need to do sa a favour and let the sharks take 5pts from pretoria, taking the sharks to 37 pts. Add to this the sharks have the blues next. if they can win there, suddenly the sharks hav 41pts. The sharks deserve it, they came within minutes of beating the crusaders (lost only 22-20) and the brumbies (35-30) both away from home!! the hurricanes must be the luckiest ******* in the tournament, beating the stormers, bulls and sharks by a combined total of like 10pts! things mite hav been a lil different if rugby was a 70 minute game.
16 Apr 2006, 10:40 am
Yeah, Zihaad! When ifs and buts are candy and nuts it will be Christmas (or Eid Mubarak) all year long!
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