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Hurricanes end Crusaders' unbeaten run to set up Brumbies clash, Sunwolves shame Blues

Lose Beauden? That’s no problem for the Hurricanes, Jordie did the job for them.

The younger Barrett brother had an influential role as Hurricanes shattered Crusaders’ unbeaten Super Rugby record with a 31-22 win in Wellington to set up a quarter-final against Brumbies after the Sunwolves claimed an historic victory over the Blues.

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The defending champions suffered pre match blow when Beauden Barrett who ruled out due to illness, but Jordie reduced a 12-0 deficit with a first-half try which he converted.

The Crusaders had won all 14 of their previous matches before making the trip to Westpac Stadium, but they came unstuck in the final round of the regular season, giving the Lions the chance to finish top of the table if they beat the Sharks later on Saturday.

It had all started so well for the Christchurch-based franchise as they opened up their early lead after 14 minutes, courtesy of a Seta Tamanivalu double.

The Hurricanes went ahead five minutes after the break when Julian Savea crossed after knocking an Otere Black cross kick back to himself, but Richie Mo’unga’s boot put the Crusaders back in front. Israel Dagg then evaded Barrett for a try that Mo’unga converted to make it 22-14 midway through the second half.

The Canes were not finished yet, though, Wes Goosen and Vaea Fifita dotted down in the space of seven minutes, and Barrett took his tally for the night to 14 from the tee. This ensured Chris Boyd’s men will travel to Canberra for a last-eight encounter next week.

Tim Lafaele scored a hat-trick on a memorable night for the Sunwolves, who stunned the Blues with an eight-try 48-21 triumph in Tokyo.

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Captain Willie Britz led by example for the Japanese side as they won a first Super Rugby encounter against opponents from New Zealand.

The Chiefs will travel for a quarter-final against Stormers on the back of a 28-10 win over the Brumbies. Damian McKenzie scored a try as well as slotting over three penalties and two conversions.

Long-serving Western Force captain Matt Hodgson ended his career on a high note, kicking a penalty on the last play of the game after also claiming one of five tries in a 40-11 rout of the Waratahs on a wet evening in Perth.

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Nickers 32 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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