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Flashback Friday: Watch the bone-headed last play of the first ever Brumbies/Hurricanes match

It’s all about to go horribly wrong

The Hurricanes are known these days as experts at the art of the cross kick, but it wasn’t always the case. Back in 1996 the fledgling franchise was on the cusp of their first ever win, but fate intervened and gifted us with one of the most classic low-percentage plays of all time.

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Basically everything that could’ve possibly went wrong for the Hurricanes happened, despite them having possession and a slight territorial advantage.

Let’s just break this down:

  • Yes, that clock says there’s 30 seconds left till full-time and the score is 28-all. There are four players stacked on one side of the ruck, but halfback Rhys Duggan opts to go open where only first five Jamie Cameron and winger Alex Telea are covering half the width of the field.
  • To be fair to Duggan, while the option isn’t great, there’s nothing wrong with the pass. It goes straight through Cameron’s hands, he then inexplicably blasts a low kick straight into the only impediment that would keep the ball from flying into touch – his own team mate, Telea.
  • Telea’s shoulder couldn’t have done a better job at keeping the ball alive, it pops perfectly into the arms of Mitch Hardy. He suddenly has 40 metres of fresh air in front of him and the tryline.
  • To add insult to injury, Cameron is taken out by what looks to be Marco Caputo. The Brumbies hooker holds on just long enough for Cameron to fall flat on his face attempting to make a cover tackle. Meanwhile Telea ends up doing his best impersonation of a freshly oiled turnstile as Hardy breezes past him.
  • The Canes then get subjected to the full George Gregan treatment, with the Wallaby halfback celebrating before Hardy is even over the 22.
  • Final score: Brumbies 32 Hurricanes 25.

FULL HIGHLIGHTS:

Hurricanes fans only had to wait another week for their team’s first ever win, over the then-Transvaal Lions. It was one of only three in an otherwise modest debut season that featured the emergence of Christian Cullen as the game’s new superstar.

The Brumbies, who were written off pre season as a motley pack of rejects from the powerhouse unions of New South Wales and Queensland, managed to almost make the semi finals in 1996. They built on this momentum to become the most dominant Australian team in the competition over its history, winning two titles in six final appearances.

The two teams clash again in Canberra tonight, the same place where the comical finish of their first ever Super Rugby meeting took place.

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It’s doubtful that the low, unexpected kick-pass that rockets off a teammate to lose the game will be in Beauden Barrett’s playbook though.

 

 

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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