Barrett breaks Blues’ hearts
23 Mar 2012
RYAN VREDE watched Hurricanes flyhalf Beauden Barrett produce a sensational run to set up a last-gasp try then kick the conversion for a 26-25 victory over the Blues.
The Canes looked dead and buried, with the Blues pinning them deep in their territory through tactical punts and composed phase play. But Barrett, impressive all evening, sliced through the defensive line expertly in the dying minutes to craft a try for Conrad Smith. The youngster then held his nerve to kick the extras for a massive victory in the context of the Hurricanes’ season.
But while these sides were never going to produce a dour contest, it was an error-ridden affair. Neither side could control the ball through enough phases consistently to build any telling pressure, their poor ball protection on the ground undermining this cause. Furthermore their tactical kicking was woeful and often offered their opponents broken field opportunities.
The Blues would have wondered just how they trailed at the break (19-16) after dominating possession and territory. They need look no further than lethargic defence and a lineout that steadily capitulated.
They opened a 10-point lead through a Ma’a Nonu converted try and Lachie Munro penalty but would only add six points before the turnaround. The Hurricanes, however, absorbed considerable pressure but still managed three first half tries, Andre Taylor’s 40m effort the pick of the lot. Munro erred in the Canes’ second five pointer when he tried to run himself out of trouble, only to be isolated in a move that culminated in Cory Jane scoring. The Canes grabbed the lead for the first time soon thereafter, Smith benefiting from a favourable bounce after a scrappy hack ahead.
Munro booted the Blues back ahead with three penalties after the restart to give his side a six point lead going into the final quarter. The Blues had played more intelligently than they had at any stage in the first half and the Canes were showing signs of feeling the pressure, manifested through the infringements that allowed Munro to establish the lead.
When Barrett hooked a 64th minute penalty attempt that pressure mounted. The Blues went into containment mode and did so effectively. It was always going to take a moment of brilliance to unlock them. Barrett delivered.
189 Comments
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23 Mar 2012, 10:34 am
@THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-148:
say sorry to rehaan.
23 Mar 2012, 10:35 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-147: answer the question dammit!
23 Mar 2012, 10:35 am
What was it that Keohane said about the Canes at the beginning of the season, think it was “plodding” and something along the lines of “weakest Kiwi side in the comp”. Hmmmm….
23 Mar 2012, 10:35 am
Besides, the Stormers beat both these teams, and they’re only our third best franchise.
23 Mar 2012, 10:36 am
I would rather have seen Tony Woodcock at 10 than Weepu – faster, scores more tries, and he wouldn’t kick in the last 90 seconds and lose the game. Is Weepu still on the payroll at the Canes?!
23 Mar 2012, 10:36 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-147:
he’s a drama king, tac… just another drama king…
23 Mar 2012, 10:36 am
@Papoose(papaown)-132: I also play Fox fantasy. Are you in the Keo pool started by Hendrik P?
23 Mar 2012, 10:38 am
In terms of comparative strength I would rank the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers on the same level as the Crusaders.
The problem with the Kiwi conference is that all their teams are **** this year.
Except the Chiefs and Highlanders, but you can’t count them because its only a matter of time before the implode, as usual.
So at this stage it seems as if it’s all a bit of lottery over in NZ. The Crusaders will probably rectify that as the season progresses.
23 Mar 2012, 10:38 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-135: What was your margin?
23 Mar 2012, 10:39 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-152:
Not as simple as that Trannie.
Bulls were at home. Blues have just travelled all the way back from SA, with a lot of injuries and suspensions as well. Alot of mitigating factors.
I suspect you knew that though. I suspect Tacitus has hit the nail on the head hence your response here.
23 Mar 2012, 10:39 am
YEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!
23 Mar 2012, 10:39 am
Saw the Reds captains run this morning. Will Genia practised at 10. Looked pretty good.
23 Mar 2012, 10:40 am
@Horings(Horings)-146: i’m just saying, if you look at the fact that the bulls can give a 50pts pasting to the cheetahs who along with the lions are our kakkest teams, and the same bulls lose to the blues who in turn can’t beat the canes…there’s a 2 conferences with teams that hand out gimmes and it doesn’t look like the kiwi one is part of that stat.
23 Mar 2012, 10:42 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-158:
agreed on everything except the crusaders.
i’ve got a feeling they’re gonna have a run similar to the bulls 2011 season, expect a midtable finish.
23 Mar 2012, 10:43 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-160: nail on the head? far from it…just throwing thoughts out there for bloggers to debate
23 Mar 2012, 10:44 am
when plum said the sa conference is the hardest, he was talking about the attrition.
why can’t you guys understand this?
23 Mar 2012, 10:45 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-163: True, although the Cheetahs Bulls game stands out if you look at the results over the past two years. Does this statistically mean it is an outlier or should it be part of your argument. I think the Cheetahs Crusaders and Cheetahs Hurricanes game will give us a better picture.
23 Mar 2012, 10:46 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-160: see, he finally answered at 158
ocassionally tac tends to be too clever for his own good and needs to be taken down a peg
23 Mar 2012, 10:47 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-163:
ok fine… so, using this logic where would that put the kings, transie?
does that put them in a special category where they get 50 points here and 50 points there and maybe 30 or 40 ponits in oz..?..hmmm?…
please dont answer it…its rhetorical….
23 Mar 2012, 10:55 am
@charo(charo)-166:
I understand it. And I agree with him.
The Cheetahs could lose to the Bulls by 30 points one weekend, and beat the Sharks in Bloem the next weekend. But inbetween Coenie moered his opponents stukkend, whether the Cheetahs won or lost.
23 Mar 2012, 10:57 am
@welcome to my life, hugh…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-169: the kings haven’t played a stitch of super rugby so i don’t get why you’re getting huffy
the bulls lost to a blues team sans kaino, hobbs, toeava, wulf plus a rookie flyhalf. surely one of the top teams (if tac is to be believed) slipped up, no?
23 Mar 2012, 11:08 am
@charo(charo)-166: that is a totally different debate and not what i’m talking about. i’m referring to results which in turn affect log standings and thus playoff spots/home & away semis.
by the way, the chiefs played the highlanders in their 1st game this season, they lost lelia masaga, ben afieaki, toby smith and another 4th player i can’t recall, so they can surely claim “attrition” to be affecting them too, no?
23 Mar 2012, 11:13 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-171:
right back at you hehe
the blues (to the credit of all the weak teams in super rugby) will on occasion lift themselves for one or two big games against the ‘top’ teams.
23 Mar 2012, 11:15 am
Poor Tac cannot bring himself to acknowledge that the Hurricanes are better than people thoughts (us Stormers have been telling you all along) and that so far the Stormers are the leading SA team (ala last year).
23 Mar 2012, 11:20 am
So sorry Rehaan… Lmfao!
23 Mar 2012, 11:21 am
@Horings(Horings)-142: same here..cant believe you sold the goose!
he currently has the most points for an inside back
which fantasy rugga you playing?
23 Mar 2012, 11:21 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-154: lol, good 1
23 Mar 2012, 11:22 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-157: no! whats the name of the group, how do i join?
23 Mar 2012, 11:29 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-172:
Serious question.
Why are the Kings playing some of their VC games at Paul Roos school in Stellies when they have a big stadium to play at at home?
23 Mar 2012, 11:49 am
@welcome to my life, hugh…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-173: so the blues are a weak team? hehehe
23 Mar 2012, 11:53 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-179: i certainly have no idea…they are playing province this week, isn’t province’s home game? their first game was against the Pampas who to my knowledge are based in Stellenbosch…last week they played Border here @ home…
so is it not a case of away game for the Kings?
23 Mar 2012, 12:15 pm
Well well, absolutely happy for the Hurricanes and an absolute screw-up for my Superbru again. 9th loss in a row in Super/6N. And Force can make it TENTH. Sheesh. 8)
Can’t believe I finished 9th from 130 695 players once.
23 Mar 2012, 12:46 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-180:
come on transie, the blues are second last on the log as we speak…
23 Mar 2012, 12:56 pm
“The Canes looked dead and buried,…………………………………………”
Ryan Vrede.
You can never bury a Cane Ryan.
We sprout at the vaguest suggestion of a Bud.
23 Mar 2012, 13:00 pm
Blues started with an All Canes 9, 10, 12, Combo.
Alby,Peri and Maá.
And they almost nailed us.
Until the last 5 seconds of the game that is!
23 Mar 2012, 13:03 pm
@Papoose(papaown)-176: I am playing testrugby’s fantasy league, but their standard has dropped over the last 2 years.
I just think it is a good time to sell Goosen as the Crusaders will overpower the Cheetahs (As the Bulls did) and then the Cheetahs will not get any ball. I also have a feeling Drotske will give him a rest either this game or the next.
23 Mar 2012, 13:12 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-181:
Ah yes, it was against Pampas now that I think about it.
Obviously a ‘home’ game for the Argies.
23 Mar 2012, 13:31 pm
@Horings(Horings)-186: actually that makes sense, also figured Naka surrendered this game with the changes made…just that i didnt have enough sups. in fact O’Connor was my captain…BUT He didnt play today .DAMMIT
23 Mar 2012, 20:47 pm
@cane(cane)-184: Congrats, Cane. Despite my superbru, very glad your team won, their results show middle finger to those who after all off-season turmoil confidently said they are no hopers and worst team in Kiwiland (or maybe even the comp).
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