Proud ‘Canes end long wait
19 May 2006
Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper praised the maturity and professionalism of his side after they progressed to the Vodacom Super 14 final.
The ‘Canes withstood a late Waratahs fightback to win the Wellington semi-final 16-14 and make their first-ever appearance in a Super Rugby final. They will face either the Crusaders in Christchurch or the Bulls in Wellington next weekend, depending on the outcome of Saturday’s second semi-final.
“I’m very proud, very proud,” Cooper told Radio Sport. “We’ve waited 11 years for this. It’s just a real privilege and we’re very excited.
“There was a lot more pressure to win here than over there. We wanted to really attack them early and surprise them. I guess Wendell didn’t help their preparation but that’s the way it goes.”
Cooper praised his pack for an almost arrogant display of power during the last few minutes, when they kept the ball away from the ‘Tahs.
“We have just got to be proud of the way we hung in there, how professional we were winding down the clock with three minutes to go with our pick and go. I think it really showed the maturity of the group,” he said. “It had to be because they are a quality team and if we weren’t disciplined we were going to come second. So this is a very special moment.”
14 Comments
19 May 2006, 15:31 pm
Well done to them.
They beat a good side and deserve the final!
19 May 2006, 15:33 pm
Great win for the deserving Hurricanes and may the force be with you next weekend!!!!
19 May 2006, 15:33 pm
Well done Canes!
19 May 2006, 15:51 pm
Congrats on your home final next week !!!
19 May 2006, 16:00 pm
Well Done CANES!
they’ve been playing quality rugby for quite some time now and deserve this recognition.
and here’s hoping the bulls get to play you next weekend
19 May 2006, 16:40 pm
Yes well done, just remember you’re not not gonna be so lucky next week against the BULLS
19 May 2006, 16:47 pm
I reckon the canes were lucky to get out of that. sheer weight of possesion and dominance suggested they should have hammered them however you could tell both teams struggle to win big games. What were they thinking of going for touch in a semi you have to take to take the points and you could tell the tide was turning with 15 mins left
19 May 2006, 17:30 pm
The Waratahs are chokers.
Pity, they were a machine up until a few weeks ago.
Their supporters must be GUTTED.
20 May 2006, 00:23 am
Brumby, the canes have been “lucky” in most of their games this year, they do what they have to do, no more, no less and the Crusaders will also find this out next week
YOU MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK
20 May 2006, 00:26 am
Note, I do hope the Bulls can pull it off tonight but I have no idea how they can
If they do I’m not sure the canes will be ready for them as I heard 2 slip-ups in the post match interviews from the Hurricanes… “playing the Cru…whoever” and “going down to the final”!
20 May 2006, 02:07 am
a bit like the last two world cups where teams were prepared to play the ABs in the Final.
snoop they are used to disappointment
20 May 2006, 02:54 am
To all the above!
On Behalf of all Hurricanes Supporters, thank you for your kind words.
Now it’s up to the Bulls.—Either soften them Saders up for us—–or pull off an upset and we’ll see you in Wellington next weekend.
Good Luck.(and if things don’t go your way DON”T blame Dickie)
20 May 2006, 07:43 am
Couldn’t have said it better myself Cane.
20 May 2006, 18:40 pm
Nice going Canes, well done, still remember the “greatest” semi-final ever played back in 1997 i think against the Blues at Eden Park, what a game that was. Now u have gone 1 step closer to being rowned champs, good luck to the Canes. Majority of AB’s EOYT squad in 2005 came from these two teams.
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