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Hurricanes player ratings vs Moana Pasifika | Super Rugby Pacific
By
Jordan King
The Hurricanes found themselves on the wrong side of history this evening after being pipped by Moana Pasifika in extra time.
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Despite being on the right side of the penalty count the men from the capital failed to make the most of the field possession and point-scoring opportunities.
They have nine days to lick their wounds before taking on the Chiefs at home, but for now they’ll have to relive their performance as their opponents rightfully get the air time they deserve.
Here’s how the Hurricanes rated:
1. Xavier Numia – 3/10
His shakiness at the set-piece must be a consistent concern for the coaching staff. As the two sides traded scrum penalties in the opening 40, it was Numia who Brendon Pickerell found was at fault. His dynamism for a man with 1 on his back just doesn’t make up for what a prop is out there to do.
2. Asafo Aumua – 4
A quiet evening in what was a game where his team could have used his prowess in the contact area. His positioning on the flank kept him out of the picture on attack, although the same can’t be said as to why he wasn’t more involved elsewhere.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 6
Held up his end of the bargain by anchoring the Canes’ scrum and was just as prominent with his shoulders while upright with seven tackles.
4. Caleb Delany – 6
Backed up his impressive debut with another solid outing where most of the pack was on the back foot. Got stuck into the tight stuff as well as making tracks in open play.
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5. Scott Scrafton – 5
Not the best fixture to be returning in after such a long layoff, but he’ll probably tell you himself he could’ve been more abrasive. His height was a welcome addition for Aumua though and should go some way to improving a line-out that’s still touch and go.
6. Reed Prinsep – 4
Another one of the glue guys who wasn’t at his best. Needed to step up with having been handed the armband and with the lack of experience across the park.
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7. Blake Gibson – 6
Didn’t offer much by way of carrying, but was everything his team needed on defence after finishing with a whopping 19 tackles and an equally as impressive zero misses.
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8. Brayden Iose – 5
Was full of running from the outset and throughout. Carrying is never going to be an issue, so the challenge for him now is being just as lively with the work done behind the scenes.
9. TJ Perenara – 5
The lack of ruck security coupled with an enthusiastic Moana Pasifika side made life difficult for the talismanic number nine. He’ll need his pack to provide more front-foot ball if they’re wanting to get the best out of him.
10. Aidan Morgan – 6
Ready, willing and able when taking the line on while also displaying an educated boot for a player his age. His straightening up in the lead up to Fidow’s try also showed his attacking ability goes beyond his eye for a gap. Don’t be surprised if we see more of the youngster as the season ticks on.
11. Wes Goosen – 5
Limited touches after a frustrating first half from his side, but was elusive with the carries he had. Off for Salesi Rayasi after copping a head clash just before halftime.
12. Teihorangi Walden – 5
Carried admirably into what looked like a brick wall for most of the evening and chopped anything that came down his channel.
13. Peter Umaga-Jensen – 6
The best of the Hurricane backs. Is better utilised running off shoulders than when tasked with carting the ball up and makes the right reads for someone defending one in from the wing. Has he done enough to earn a starting spot in the first-choice XV?
14. Josh Moorby – 6
An energetic debut from one of the few Stags running around in Super Rugby Pacific. Went an hour without any reward for his effort but his persistent lurking around the fringes saw him eventually earn himself a try on the left-hand side of the field in the second half.
15. Jordie Barrett – 5
Stood up to the physical challenge laid down by the opposition and started the contest on the right foot with a nice line off Umaga-Jensen to open the scoring. Collisions aside, the All Black struggled to have any further influence on proceedings besides two unusual errors in the form of missed touch finders.
Reserves:
16. James O’Reilly – N/A
17. Alex Fidow – 6
Strong in the carry and popped up at the right time off a Delaney break to answer back for the Canes with 10 to go. Question marks still remain of his scrummaging though.
18. Tevita Mafileo – N/A
19. Tom Parsons – 5
On for Scrafton in the 60th minute.
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi – 5
A late call up for Ardie Savea and was busy as per usual when subbed on. Won a big penalty in overtime to put them in a position to win but it wasn’t to be.
21. Cam Roigard – 5
Came on for Perenara for the final quarter and he too struggled to generate any flow with his side being knocked behind the gain line.
22. Ruben Love – 6
Showed off the fancy footwork and made a few courageous tackles on bigger men.
23. Salesi Rayasi – 4
Not the night to be an outside back for the Hurricanes. With the ball struggling to reach the flanks Rayasi ended the game with just a pair of touches and was the unfortunate recipient of a yellow card for some repeated team infringements near the goal line.
