'Canes v Chiefs: Plenty to play for
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Victory is non-negotiable for the Hurricanes against the Chiefs in Wellington on Friday if the hosts are to stand any realistic chance of reaching the Super Rugby play-offs.
Should the 'Canes prevail, preferably with a bonus point, they would still need to watch the rest of the last round unfold and rely on other results to secure them a place in the top six.
The home side are one of five teams chasing three play-off spots that have yet to be secured in the final weekend, while their opposition are out to secure top spot and home advantage throughout the finals series.
If the Hurricanes (on 53 points) overcome the Chiefs (62) on Friday and two of either the Crusaders (56), the Bulls (54), the Sharks (54) or the Reds (53) lose, then the Hurricanes are likely to make the play-offs stage.
Defeat for the men in yellow, however, will bring their season to an end.
Should that happen, it's still been a memorable campaign for the 'Canes who were written off before the tournament even started after only notching up five wins last season. Fast forward a year later and Mark Hammett's men will double last season's tally of wins if they come up trumps in the New Zealand capital against the table-topping Chiefs.
The Hurricanes, who have won five of their last six outings, are coming off a bye and will be confident of knocking over the tournament leaders after upsetting the Crusaders in Christchurch two weeks ago.
But the last time the North Island rivals played, it was the Chiefs who walked away with the spoils in a rather comprehensive 33-14 win,
The visitors will also be hurting from their close defeat to the Crusaders last week, when they had their opportunities to win or at least draw the game.
Sonny Bill Williams's decision to have a crack at the line when there were several unmarked players outside him might come back to haunt them as the Chiefs bid to finish on top of the overall ladder, which allows them a chance to work their way into a home final. But defeat or a win without a four-try bonus point could open the door for the Stormers to take top spot.
Plenty on the line for both sides then? You better believe it!
Prediction: The Hurricanes have proven they can produce the goods, but they will need to be at their best to beat the Chiefs who - based on last week's form - have some work to do. Tough one... Hurricanes to win minus a bonus point and Chiefs to pick up crucial losing bonus point.
The teams:
Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Cory Jane/Alapati Leiua, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Chris Eaton/Frae Wilson, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben May, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Reg Goodes.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Brad Shields , 20 Frae Wilson/Jamie Nutbrown, 21 Tusi Pisi, 22 Jayden Hayward.
Chiefs: 15 Andrew Horrell, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Jackson Willison, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Robbie Robinson, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (c), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Sona Taumalolo, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 22 Tim Nanai-Williams.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Comments
BringBackBuck says...
MAN ... Close one .... be an interesting weekend to see how the other matches unfold... not a bad effort for a side that was ripped to bits and written off at the start of the season, nice to see new players standing up to the task , Well Done Boys! Regards Wellington boy in London
Posted 10:33 13th July 2012
davodiablo says...
Carpelone : My imagination is fine . You seem sensitive to my banter ?
Posted 08:00 13th July 2012
georgesmith says...
Hurricanes by a whisker!
Posted 01:22 13th July 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
If the Chiefs pack can get going then they should win. Otherwise it's very much a 50/50. I'd like to see the Canes make the 6 but as Carpelone says it's not likely the teams above will roll over, so hopefully the Chiefs win a high scoring game and claim the 5 points.
Posted 00:25 13th July 2012
FTM89 says...
It really doesn`t matter what happens in this game because the Sharks and Bulls are going to win with bonus points. To sad because the Hurricanes would make it in any other conference....
Posted 20:49 12th July 2012
Carpelone says...
davodiablo.
Relax mate. Just a mistake. With some imagination, which you clearly lack, just read Hurricanes. It was not that difficult
Posted 20:22 12th July 2012
new_j4a says...
@Carpelone, don't blame your bookie, mate. Most these days tend to offer odds on games that are actually scheduled: try asking for the odds on the Chiefs vs. the Hurricanes? And have another pint?
Posted 19:29 12th July 2012
davodiablo says...
@Carpelone ...Highlanders on a bye this week . What are you smoking?
Posted 17:20 12th July 2012
Carpelone says...
Realistically, Highlanders have no chance to make the play-off. This would hamper their determination and grit. I would be surprised if the Chiefs would not get 5 points out of it. Highlanders to score 4 tries in the injury time and to get an additional losing bonus point, just to show the Saffas who can score tries in rugby,
Unfortunately, I could not find a bookie who offers this, I would put some money on this
Posted 16:35 12th July 2012
Wallaroo says...
PR I think you dreaming. Chiefs are just too good and will take the spoils in what is certainly going to be a thrilling match.
Posted 14:03 12th July 2012
DutchWing says...
Both teams will pick up the 4-try bonus point. Hurricanes to finish with a losing bonus point only... Chiefs by 3!
Posted 13:06 12th July 2012
isthatrightref says...
It would be typical of the 'canes to throw a spanner in the Crusaders' spokes by winning this, thereby potentially consigning them to a home qualifier, SA semi & NZ final... for that reason alone, go the mighty Chiefs!
Posted 11:54 12th July 2012
markpat says...
Really looking forward to this game, although surprised a tthe Chiefs back line. I thought that Horrell looked okay at 13 with Robinson at 15 and I thought Nanai-Williams looked pretty good on the wing.
Posted 11:22 12th July 2012