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
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13 Jul 2012, 14:08 pm
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-541: lol Early buzz! I think i am also going that time. Me and the girlfriend. No buzz for me thank you.
13 Jul 2012, 14:09 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-536:
Then how do you propose I deal with the matter
Some people set the standard, others aspire to it
You know me. I’m fair. I will acknowledge you if you set the standard; that’s guaranteed.
13 Jul 2012, 14:10 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-491: Have one… around my nuts…
13 Jul 2012, 14:10 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-552:
Your “matter” to deal with not mine.
Google it
13 Jul 2012, 14:11 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-549:
lol
Oversized right elbow, are you sure thats from drinking?
Anyway mate, i think you can throw a few down the hatch, not doubting that at all HG .
13 Jul 2012, 14:11 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-539: I’ll say this slooooowwwlllyyyy, its not about guessing a result, there is nothing idiotic about calling a result wrong, anything can happen in sport, that’s the nature of sport. What was stupid was Mauler’s logic or lack thereof, it would be understandable if it was coming from my 10yr old nephew. Thats all that I’m saying, the previous game had no motivating or demotivating effect on today’s game, in fact if one were to clutch at straws, one would have to say last week’s loss created self-doubt in the Chiefs abilities, hence the 2 losses on the trot.
13 Jul 2012, 14:11 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-516: I was worried, because I’d picked the same result as you!
Love your theory on the referees, its actually very sensible to take note of them these days.
13 Jul 2012, 14:12 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-549:
“and master of many languages immediately post beerage”
lol thats some funny $hit.
13 Jul 2012, 14:12 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-548:
I know, I know, but you can be so mean you know
13 Jul 2012, 14:13 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-532:
you may enhance your bee credentials with just few latkes,
13 Jul 2012, 14:13 pm
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-551:
Problem is the guys are beer drinkers, so I have to keep up with them with double whiskeys. After 4-5 pints I get dronk.
13 Jul 2012, 14:13 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-493: Mmmm, no class at all… ******… The way I like it on the side.
13 Jul 2012, 14:14 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-554:
Why are you so mean to me as well?
Don’t you have a heart?
13 Jul 2012, 14:14 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-556:
Liar, you didnt say that slowly at all.
13 Jul 2012, 14:14 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-562: ***** = sk.anky of course, Prawny
13 Jul 2012, 14:15 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-552: Might I ask why Dawn or anyone else should give a sh # t what you think? Are you an international blogging adjudicator?
13 Jul 2012, 14:16 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-555: Looky here…Nothing wrong with multipurpose appendages, Hurricant… Riffed any new ones on youtube lately?
Done Rock me like a Hurricane yet, like I requested long time back?
13 Jul 2012, 14:17 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-556: Everyone was thinking too much about the Chiefs. The Hurricanes are on some fine form, having recently beaten the Crusaders and stuffed the Tahs both away from home. They went under too many people’s radar. Chiefs starting to look a bit wobbly.
13 Jul 2012, 14:19 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-565:
Oh shut up
You are more tedious than you will ever know
13 Jul 2012, 14:19 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-567:
no,havnt dont that yet. But i have put something up the other day usaing a slide on guitar
Have a look
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoieRWupZ6w&feature=g-upl
13 Jul 2012, 14:20 pm
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-561: yoh thats heavy guy. good luck
13 Jul 2012, 14:20 pm
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-557:
I had done better before ANZAR scrapped the Neutral referees principal, things are rather predictable now, few upsets indeed.
13 Jul 2012, 14:20 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-555: Awesome tune… Clever lyrics too…
It’s early morning
The sun comes out
Last night was shaking
And pretty loud
My cat is purring
And scratches my skin
So what is wrong
With another sin
The bi.yatch is hungry
She needs to tell
So give her inches
And feed her well
More days to come
New places to go
I’ve got to leave
It’s time for a show
Here I am, rock you like a hurricane
13 Jul 2012, 14:20 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-565: You like ******……..
My 1st impression of you was an Elton John type fellow, all white suits, panamas and pixie shoes.
My 2nd impression was of a Rodney Trotter type weasel, all gold plated bling with very little sting.
My 3rd impression, and I think the most accurate (due to your like of ******) is of a Lolly Jackson type wannabe – all cigars, check me back shades, East European lady friends and a huge overdraft….
13 Jul 2012, 14:21 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-574: And I don’t give a flyingshit what your impressions of me are…
Who flung Dung…. Catch
13 Jul 2012, 14:23 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-566:
May I ask why you ask that question?
To be honest with you, I don’t know but it’s just the way it is. Over the years the nick ‘ Sheriff ‘ has come to represent something in the minds and hearts of seasoned bloggers.
So they value my opinion and I agree it prolly a bit irrational. But remember a nick is like a brand; when you see ‘Nike’ or ‘Adidas’ it conjures (it should) up images in your mind
So when they sign on and see ‘Sheriff said:’ they read my posts automatically; they have no control over that anymore.
It is with that in mind that I would suggest that you change your nick to one word… use it don’t …
13 Jul 2012, 14:23 pm
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-568: Yeah, I reckon the chiefs pack will battle to front up in a tight play off match
13 Jul 2012, 14:24 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-574:
He’s that oke on the side of the field at Sharks games. The one who always gets the close-ups.
13 Jul 2012, 14:24 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-573:
Mate,i will do it.
No Singing so you can sing along
13 Jul 2012, 14:24 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-570: Would I come across as really ignorant if I asked if that was really you?
13 Jul 2012, 14:24 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-569: Oh dear
13 Jul 2012, 14:24 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-574: Is the 3rd impression supposed to be insulting? It kind of rocks!
13 Jul 2012, 14:25 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-579: Good man!
13 Jul 2012, 14:26 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-576:
I see there’s more than one oversized elbow around here.
13 Jul 2012, 14:26 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-578: No ways……tallish dude with black hair going slightly grey? Went to Northlands Boys High?
13 Jul 2012, 14:27 pm
@Skeppie(Skeppie)-580:
No all good Skeppie.
I get that alot. In one video i wear a Wellington lions jersey
But next one i will through a few things in there so you know its really me, or a blogger from Keo at least
13 Jul 2012, 14:28 pm
@Skeppie(Skeppie)-577: Yes and I think they are mentally fragile too.
13 Jul 2012, 14:29 pm
@willievz(willievz)-538:
sorry bud… had a 2o’clock…
bonus points…??? what bonus points…??
absolutely… me too…
enjoy…!!
13 Jul 2012, 14:29 pm
@Skeppie(Skeppie)-585:
The mad looking completely gray crazy man
13 Jul 2012, 14:29 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-586: Ok so I can presume that is you then….well, hat’s off, you sure can work that axe!
13 Jul 2012, 14:29 pm
AJ “Fabio” Venter called a Stormers/Chiefs final at Newlands.
Outrageous, at the time, but hell, if he bet on that he could be a very rich man if these teams play ball hereon…
13 Jul 2012, 14:29 pm
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-582: I thought so too… Except this impression is bulletproof…
Fark, many happy memories of his establishments…
And making new memories all the time…
A Hero
13 Jul 2012, 14:31 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-589: How do you know that’s him?
13 Jul 2012, 14:32 pm
@Skeppie(Skeppie)-590:
Thanks Mate.
13 Jul 2012, 14:32 pm
@Skeppie(Skeppie)-593:
Just guessing
That guy is fanatical enough
13 Jul 2012, 14:33 pm
@Skeppie(Skeppie)-590: Let no-one doubt the talents of Keo’s very own resident Axeman!
HurriSlash…
HurriSambora…
HurrivanHalen…
All in One.
13 Jul 2012, 14:34 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-595: It would make sense….
13 Jul 2012, 14:35 pm
You know you have bloggermylitis when someone asks you: How was your day?
And you say: Great (Meaning there were a lot of funny things on keo.co.za)
The reality check then is to say, oh yes the person probably wanted to know how my day at the office went
For example: Some people have claimed that I shouted at them here on keo, now think about that for a moment. How can typing produce a sound?
13 Jul 2012, 14:35 pm
@Skeppie(Skeppie)-585: Nortlands Boyshaai… You mad in the Head?
Dangerman will fark you up.
13 Jul 2012, 14:36 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-455: @Dawn(Dawn)-468: Stormers v Sharks/Brumbies semi at Newlands? If the Sharks finish 6th, Brumbies 3rd & Stormers 1st?
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