Gutsy Canes give Stormers a sniff

Gutsy Canes give Stormers a sniff

13 Jul 2012

JON CARDINELLI reports that a thrilling 28-25 victory for the Hurricanes in Wellington has left the door open for the Stormers to top the Super Rugby league.

A controversial try awarded four minutes into injury time allowed the Hurricanes to snatch a late win and keep their own play-off prospects alive in the process. This result is a bad one for the Bulls, Sharks and Reds, who are all chasing a qualifying spot, but it is a very favourable one for the Stormers.

The Cape side simply need to beat the Rebels in Cape Town on Saturday to win the league and secure a home semi-final. This would result in the Stormers’ first ever top-of-the-table finish, and put them into a position to play a possible final at Newlands.

The Chiefs certainly blew an opportunity in Friday’s encounter at the Cake Tin. It was clear that a bonus-point win was what they were after, as five log points would have secured top spot.

A simple win would also have given them a chance to finish in pole position. The Stormers haven’t scored a bonus-point win this season, but if the Chiefs had won narrowly in Wellington, the Cape side would need to win big in their own final league match. Perhaps the Chiefs should have secured the win before being so ambitious.

But special mention must go to the Hurricanes for their role in a result that has turned the tournament on its head. They were once again inconsistent in this crunch match, and flyhalf Beauden Barrett missed four kicks at goal. To be fair, they were the better side on the day, and as the final call indicated, the 50/50 calls also went their way.

There was minimal kicking in this contest as both teams went in search of a bonus-point win. The Chiefs started well, but then battled to live with Hurricanes at the breakdown. Indeed they were fortunate to be ahead in the final minutes, and if they had won they would have pointed to a crucial score right before half-time as well as Aaron Cruden’s intercept try in the 58th minute as game-winning plays.

But in defeat, it can be said that the eight points the Chiefs banked right before half-time were scored when Hurricanes prop Ben May was off the park. The tighthead was sin-binned for a reckless tackle on Sonny Bill Williams, and the Chiefs made the Hurricanes pay to the tune of eight points.

The intercept try allowed the Chiefs to take the lead at a crucial stage of the game, and credit must go to Cruden for reading the play and latching on to the pass by Barrett. It was a seven-pointer against the run of play, but it highlighted the Chiefs’ threat from the turnover.

Aside from his goal-kicking and that unfortunate pass, Barrett had an absolute blinder at flyhalf. His decision making was excellent and the Chiefs’ defence was guilty of giving him too much room to run and create opportunities for team-mates running a supporting line.

For the Chiefs, Williams was superb, breaking tackles and delivering some inspired offloads. But unfortunately for the visitors, Williams failed to link up with his team-mates after making many a break, and as a result the Chiefs failed to finish some great attacking surges.

The Hurricanes are a young side, but they showed terrific character as the clock wound down. The Chiefs should have put them away during this period, but poor ball security at the breakdown and some woeful tactical kicking allowed the hosts to take control.

It was all the Chiefs could do to hang on, conceding penalty after penalty at the breakdown. The Hurricanes eventually got over the line with the clock on 84 minutes, Dane Coles showing some incredible strength to finish.

Referee Jonathan Kaplan referred the decision to the TMO as the 25 000 screaming fans anticipated a fairytale finish for their Hurricanes team. Tawera-Kerr Barlow looked to have pulled off a heroic tackle on Coles, although it seemed inconclusive whether Kerr-Barlow had got his arm under the ball or if Coles had indeed got the ball down on to the tryline.

The TMO decided it was the latter, and that decision has had some far reaching ramifications. It’s now likely that the Stormers will beat the Rebels on Saturday and top the league, but the Sharks and Bulls will need to win big in their respective clashes to guarantee a spot in the play-offs.

For the Hurricanes, they have kept their hopes alive with an outstanding win over the Chiefs, and no doubt they will be cheering the Sharks and Bulls’ opponents on Saturday.


897 Comments

Pages: « 1 … 5 6 7 8 9 [10] 11 12 13 14 15 … 18 » Show All

  • 451.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:12 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-446:

    You descend from the underside of a maggot

  • 452.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:13 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-443:

    What will be will be!

  • 453.RainbowBanana: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:13 pm

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-415: It could be a Sharks/Brumbies semi at Newlands

  • 454.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:15 pm

    @WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-445:

    Sweet memories indeed. Thanks for posting that. It brought back to mind the times when I had great confidence in my team. What a wonderful time it was.

    Will be another 2 years or so before we ascend those heights once more.

  • 455.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:16 pm

    @RainbowBanana(RainbowBanana)-453:

    No, it can’t.

  • 456.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:16 pm

    @grant10(grant100)-449: uhm dude, Dont include the Sharks as part of your quota theories,

    All non white players in that Sharks squad are there on merit, FACT

  • 457.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:17 pm

    Tacitus getting nostalgic…

  • 458.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:17 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-436:

    Helen?

  • 459.grant10: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:19 pm

    true sharks_lover …. sharks really underperformed in this years super R

  • 460.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:19 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-451: Hmmm, tasty :lol:

    But Prawny, try as you might, not that you are that way inclined at all… to ever want to heterosexually actually give birth…

    I very severely doubt you could be my Mum…

    Obvious differences aside… like looks, class, intelligence, education etc

    :wink:

  • 461.Skeppie: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:21 pm

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-456: Now that is true, I suppose it’s a good place to be

  • 462.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:21 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-446:

    Mate, you need to share your kullid roots; do you also have an Ouma Vytjie there on your side?

  • 463.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:22 pm

    The perfect result as it opens the door for an all NZ final, looks like the final will be in Hamilton.

  • 464.ufo: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:22 pm

    Josh so serious about tomorrow’s game he’s shaved the forest off his face…

    he’s now the lean mean streamlined machine…!!

  • 465.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:22 pm

    @Sheriff(Sheriff)-462: Nought… Nuffink… No gaps in teeth or the family tree… Sorry.

  • 466.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:23 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-446:
    Look you speak four languages.
    You forgot the ancient language of Bull$hit, handed down through the HG clan
    :-)

  • 467.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:23 pm

    @WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-445: :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

    ” or whether they lay it down straight for everyone that the Sharkies are in for a world of hurt courtesy of a monumental can of whoopass that will be administered by the Men in Blue – what will be will be.”

    That ladies and gentlemen is a winner.

  • 468.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:24 pm

    453.RainbowBanana:
    13 Jul 2012, 13:13 pm @Sasuke(Sasuke)-415: It could be a Sharks/Brumbies semi at Newlands

    ??????

  • 469.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:25 pm

    Congrats to the Stormers!! Top spot is urs!! Go get it!

  • 470.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:25 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-460:

    Looks class intelligence education

    Mmmmmmmm

  • 471.XhosaKid: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:25 pm

    Where is Mauler?, I reckon the Chiefs are really fired up after that loss against the Crusaders, they are going to take it out on the Hurricanes!! , LOL!!!, its amazing such imbeciles still exists..

  • 472.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:25 pm

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-466: Hehe… I swore I could speak Maori too… After 10 beers and 3 tequilas just last weekend…

    Fcknut

  • 473.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:26 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-467:

    Indeed

    The whoopass king

    Now answer my question!!!!! You going to Argies at Newlands

  • 474.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:26 pm

    @Sheriff(Sheriff)-458: Helen? I don’t know who Helen is – not me, that’s for sure.
    I have been called Grant No10, UFO, Ryan, Nikita, Just Rugby, a few other names and now Helen?

  • 475.Skeppie: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:27 pm

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-463: Huh? The Sharks play out of Durban not Hamilton?

  • 476.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:27 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-470: Yes, however no whips, chains or handcuffs in sight… Still interested?

  • 477.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:28 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-465:

    Then what’s your point?

    Funny you sound Khoi to me…

  • 478.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:29 pm

    Xhosakid you dont think they werent? They were beaten by a very determined Hurricanes team… But I guess calling people Imbiciles makes you a better person… I called it wrong… Now be a good boy and go play with your dolls…

  • 479.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:29 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-476:

    Not at all

    No time wasting with you

    I have those attributes in spades

    You just junk

  • 480.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:29 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-473: I certainly am :) I am hoping to attend a semi final and final at Newlands before that though….

    But the Argie test I will be there – feeling very torn and glum as I always want the Argies to win, just not against the Boks (then again, that depends on what type of squad the ‘whoopass messiah Meyer’ puts together)
    If I am forced to watch Pierre Spies and J Potgieter trip over their laces all game, I might enjoy an Argie upset :)

  • 481.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:29 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-472:
    lol
    You mean 1 beer and 3 orange juices, ya amateur.

  • 482.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:30 pm

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-456: Straight shooter… So say we all.

    We are Black
    We are White
    We are
    We are
    FuckingDynamite

    BOOM!

  • 483.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:32 pm

    Daar gaan die flatulence weer

  • 484.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:32 pm

    @Sheriff(Sheriff)-477: Khoi…Japanese? Leaping Goldfish, no…

  • 485.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:33 pm

    @THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-478:
    Yeah i dont get getting called an imbecile cos you called an outcome of a game incorrect.
    But you know , these Canes are surprising alot on here. Called Wooden Spooners by many on this site only to go against the grain and play some good rugby…….i am loving it

  • 486.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:33 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-470: This wingnut imagines himself as some sort of Heathcliff character – suave, charming and sophisticated, dark and brooding.
    I don’t know why he bothers……

  • 487.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:34 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-474:

    Be honest. Just once.

  • 488.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:34 pm

    Magtag Cape of Storms living up to its name today

  • 489.Skeppie: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:35 pm

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-485: I must say at the beginning of the season I wouldn’t have given them much of a chance with the big clean up but they have done really well.

  • 490.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:35 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-479: No time wasting… But Prawny, you made the first move… You playing hard to get now?

    Sheezus, women… Ai, I really pick ‘em… :lol:

  • 491.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:35 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-484:

    Can you grow an afro?

  • 492.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:36 pm

    @Sheriff(Sheriff)-487:

    Listen, you eedjit

    It is not Helen.

    Lemme say it slooowwwly so you understand

    It
    is
    not
    Helen

    Now STFU

  • 493.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:37 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-490:

    What first move?

    Saying you are descended from the underside of a maggot?

    That what all your women do?

    :lol:

  • 494.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:37 pm

    @Sheriff(Sheriff)-491:
    He has to grow pubes first.
    Give him time Sheriff, you cant rush these things.
    Dont worry HG, i got ya back.

  • 495.ufo: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:37 pm

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-481:

    Hey Hurri…

    Congratulations to your mighty team…!!

    Didn’t see the game… but the scoreboard suggests it was great…!!

    Enjoy it… maybe you guy’ll make the playoffs too…

    Enjoy…!!

    :lol:

  • 496.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:37 pm

    Hurricane! Your team has impressed me a lot this season! Can only get better from here!

  • 497.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:38 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-492:

    E-diot who are you calling an eedjit?

  • 498.ufo: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:39 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-488:

    was 6 degrees in claremont just now… and bucketing down…

    now sunshine in the south…??!!
    and 8 degrees…

    :lol:

  • 499.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:39 pm

    @Skeppie(Skeppie)-489:
    Yeah Skeppie, i was damn worried. I honestly thought my Canes were in for a long season, but hey they could be playing a couple more games than i thought.

  • 500.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    13 Jul 2012, 13:39 pm

    @Sheriff(Sheriff)-497:

    You.

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