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Hurricanes player ratings vs Reds | Super Rugby Pacific
By Jordan King
The Hurricanes shook off an ugly first half an hour of play to pick up their fifth win of the season, toppling the Reds 30-17 at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
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After failing to fire a shot in the opening exchanges, the visitors wrestled momentum back in their favour with a try against the run of play and scores right before and after the oranges.
The result wasn’t all down to them though, as the host’s ill discipline and shoddy handling saw numerous opportunities go down the gurgler. The result saw the Hurricanes jump to the top half of the table.
Here’s how the Hurricanes rated in Melbourne:
1. Pouri Rakete-Stones – 4/10
Another player to be given his marching orders for not getting his tackle height right. Did his job in the scrums and made all his tackles before departing for Numia with 20 to go.
2. Kianu Kereru-Symes – 4
Overcooked a couple of seeds in the line-out and was skinned by Hunter Pasami in the build up to Reds’ first try. Hard to be too critical of the rake with it only being his third outing.
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3. Tyrel Lomax – 6
It’s not often you see Lomax chime in with seven touches, although we may see it more often after he bagged his first career brace. Outside of burrowing over for crucial tries before and after the halftime break, the tighthead delivered on his core assignments.
4. James Blackwell – 5
Called the shots in the line-out and got himself into the thick of things on A & D.
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere – 6
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Not exactly a fearsome one-two punch alongside Blackwell, but partnered well with the toiler in doing the dirty work before being subbed for Sangster in the 60th minute. Also, adds some much-needed size to an otherwise undersized pack.
6. TK Howden – 6
Bumped into a starter’s jersey with the scratching of Reed Prinsep at the eleventh hour. Churned out some hard-fought yards (31 metres) on his six carries and got himself acquainted with the Reds’ ball runners with 19 tackles.
7. Blake Gibson – 6
Another busy evening for the openside. Put his shoulder to work with 19 tackles, 13 of those were made in the first half, and was typically one of the first arriving players to the breakdown following his teammates’ breaks.
8. Ardie Savea – 7
Picked up man of the match honours for what would be the 10th time the season. There wasn’t the same explosiveness as we have seen in recent weeks despite the leg drive staying the same, but you’d be right in guessing he came up with timely turnovers and robust defence.
9. TJ Perenara – 6
Was on track to do more talking than passing before his team finally got their hands on the pill at the back end of the opening 40. Directed the bulk of the Hurricanes’ play from the base and kept the guard dogs honest with the odd snipe.
10. Aidan Morgan – 5
Let the experience around him do their thing while he continues to get a feel for play at this level. Looked lively when given half a chance and had a couple of nice nudges to make the Reds work back.
11. Wes Goosen – 4
Only afforded three carries in his hour of action and was only forced to make one tackle. Went sniffing for chances off his wing, but only ended up as a cleaner at the ensuing breakdown
12. Peter Umaga-Jensen – 6
Responsible for setting the platform from the first phase and did just that. Didn’t try to force things with careless offloading or keeping his feet too long, which allowed those around him to reap the benefits. Would be nice to see his partnership with Sullivan given some more time to develop.
13. Bailyn Sullivan – 6
Found himself in the naughty chair less than 10 minutes into the contest while his team was already under the pump. Returned to the action with a big piece of defence before coming up with a game-changing score off a deflection. Ran for a team-high 84 metres and dotted down for his side’s last share
14. Julian Savea – 5
Limited opportunities for the “Bus” with the ball mostly confined to the middle of the park. Made sure to impose himself with what action came his way by bouncing off defenders, but all in all it was a quiet evening from the outside backs.
15. Jordie Barrett – 5
Not the smoothest return to the 15 jersey for the Hurricanes talisman. Dropped off a few tackles as his side struggled to contain a rolling Reds side, but bounced back to life in the aftermath of the previously mentioned score from Sullivan. Used his boot to plug the corners and run up the scoreboard.
Reserves
16. Leni Apisai – N/A
17. Xavier Numia – A couple of nice carries with a turnover to boot.
18. Tevita Mafileo – N/A
19. Justin Sangster – N/A
20. Caleb Delany – N/A
21. Jamie Booth – 5 – Clean service to see the Canes control the outing til the final whistle.
22. Jackson Garden-Bachop – 6 – Provided a nicely-weighted grubber for Sullivan’s second try.
23. Billy Proctor – 5 – On for Goosen in the 57th minute and had a hand in some positive passages.
Still waiting for the blues and Drua player ratings