Hurricanes blow Chiefs away

The Hurricanes scored six tries past the Chiefs to win 39-19 in what was an entertaining Super 14 encounter at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Friday.

The Hurricanes scored six tries past the Chiefs to win 39-19 in an entertaining Super 14 encounter at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Friday.

The Chiefs were forced to play catch-up rugby against the Hurricanes who were full value after notching up a valuable try bonus-point before the break.

As expected from New Zealand derby clashes, both teams were keen to throw the ball around.

Superb vision coupled with spectacular handling skills wowed the home crowd as the Hurricanes showed what they are capable of when everything goes according to plan.

For the Chiefs, 5-26 down at one stage, a brave fightback that closed the gap to just seven points was cancelled out by far too many dropped passes, wayward passing and average defence.

It seems the visitors are still yet to find the cure for the poison of unnecessary errors, while the Hurricanes campaign looker a lot brighter after taking a big gulp of the antidote.

Chiefs fly-half Stephen Donald opened up the matchday proceedings with a missed penalty kick at goal – he would go on to miss a further three kicks in the half.

It was no surprise then that the Hurricanes were the first on the scoreboard after a mark by full-back Cory Jane inside his 22 was followed by a quick tap-kick to run the ball out into open play.

Jane set off on his run with winger Ma'a Nonu and flanker Chris Masoe in support, with the latter – a beneficiary of some slick passing by Nonu – taking the ball up further down the right touchline.

Prop John Schwalger, who played more like a loose forward throughout the night, crashed through several tackles before offloading to the yellow machine that is Jerry Collins.

The All Black star produced a neat inside ball to Nonu who still had a lot of work to do in his 30 metre race to the Chiefs' tryline. Gopperth added the extras in what was a promising start to the match.

The Chiefs hit back shortly after when Liam Messam capitalised on a break engineered by full-back Sitiveni Sivivatu and winger Viliame Waqaseduadua to barge over from close range. Donald failed with the conversion, but the Chiefs had made their early intentions known.

However, the home side then scored three tries in quick succession to give the Chiefs all the work to do in the second half.

Directly after Messam's try, the Hurricanes secured a turnover from the kick-off and Gopperth crossed near the posts after another Schwalger burst put them within scoring range. Gopperth added his simple conversion and the 'Canes were 14-5 up after 21 minutes played.

Gopperth was involved in the next try when he cut through the Chiefs' defence on halfway and showed good vision to put a kick through for replacement scrum-half Alby Mathewson to give chase.

Mathewson, who had not been on the field longer than two minutes for a bleeding Piri Weepu, did well under pressure to dive on the ball in the in-goal area for another well-worked try.

Gopperth was unsuccessful this time round with the conversion, but the Hurricanes were now 19-5 in front with the game yet to reach the 30-minute mark.

Replacement back Shannon Paku joined in on the fun after scoring a try which went from one end of the field to another, with Gopperth again initiating the move after stabbing the ball ahead.

Conrad Smith did well to recycle and the ball was immediately spun out to Collins who wasted little time bursting upfield.

Mathewson was involved once more, but this time acted as a vital link between Collins and Rodney So'oialo, who put in the final pass to Paku to finish off a superb team score and the side's fourth-try bonus point. Gopperth's conversion took the score to 26-5 and the game looked dead and buried.

The Chiefs certainly didn't think so and replied straight away through a cheeky converted try to Donald under the posts against the run of play.

A turnover on the halfway line thanks to Jono Gibbes's injury replacement Toby Lynn caught the Hurricanes napping as Donald was tip-toed through a small gap for his run-away try. And with that, his first successful kick of the match.

With the scores at 26-12 in favour of the home side, the fans welcomed the half-time whistle after an energy sapping first half was finally brought to an end.

The Chiefs needed to score first in the second half and this they did just that after a long period of attack.

Donald wisely opted to kick his penalties into touch instead of trying his luck at goal and the Chiefs continued to put the pressure on the home team who seemed to have taken a step back somewhat.

The Chiefs' persistence paid off and eventually managed to score as Taneru Latimer crashed over from close range after Sione Lauaki had done the initial damage from another bulldozing run.

With the scores at 26-19, it was game on, but the Hurricanes woke up from their beauty sleep and stamped their authority on the game once again for the 30 minutes.

So'oialo scored a typical captain's try from 10 metres out after taking the Chiefs head-on to stretch the comfort zone for the 'Canes.

Minutes later So'oialo's partner in crime Chris Masoe powered over with a three-man overlap calling for the ball outside him to push the result beyond doubt.

To add further salt into the Chiefs' wounds, centre Tane Tu'ipulotu slotted over a cheeky drop-goal on the hooter to wrap things up for the home team.

Man of the match: We're really spoilt for choice on this occasion with a number of players putting their hands up. While the award will no doubt go to a Hurricanes' player, the Chiefs back row combination of Sione Lauaki, Tanerau Latimer and Liam Messam can take a group bow. As for the home side, Jimmy Gopperth was involved in everything and silenced his critics with a superb all-round performance. Had he carried his fine play into the second half, he would have got our vote. So that leaves us with John Schwalger who put in a new meaning to the word prop: Powerful, robust, officious and proud.

Moment of the match: Each Hurricanes' try was a joy to watch, but perhaps the one that stood out the most for its team value was Shannon Paku's touchdown to bring up the fourth-try bonus point. Pure class.

Villain of the match: No awards on this occasion. A great New Zealand derby played in a fine gentlemanly manner.

The scorers:

For Hurricanes:
Tries: Nonu, Gopperth, Mathewson, Paku, So'oialo, Masoe
Cons: Gopperth 3
Drop-goal: Tu'ipulotu

For Chiefs:
Tries: Messam, Donald, Latimer
Cons: Donald 2

Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Ma'a Nonu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So'oialo (c), 7 Chris Masoe, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Hikawera Elliot, 17 Tim Fairbrother, 18 Jeremy Thrush, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Alby