Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

An all-Kiwi affair in Tens finale

A classic rivalry will be renewed as a young Blues side have made their way into the final on the back of a 22-10 victory over the Reds and the Hurricanes completed a turnaround over the Crusaders in the Brisbane Tens semi-finals.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Reds started the day winless but managed to win their last pool game against the Wild Knights and qualify for the quarterfinals. They upset the favoured Chiefs 19-7 with two controversial tries given to the home side. Going in at halftime the game was locked at 7-apiece, but the Reds ran away with it.

The Reds scored early against the Blues in the semi-final with an intercept try to young fullback Jayden Ngamanu but it was all the Blues from that point on. Jordan Trainor made a long break from halfway before feeding halfback Sam Nock on the inside to spark the Blues revival.

Jordan Olsen scored the second after Nock made a decent break from the scrum base before Kurt Eckland scored a decisive third for the Blues down a short-side play close to the line. Hooker Andrew Ready hit back for the Reds before Dalton Papalii put it beyond doubt at 22-10.

The Hurricanes managed to hold out in a high-scoring affair against the Waratahs after taking a 28-7 lead with eight minutes to go. Naiyarovovo led the comeback with an intercept and set up another before a Malo Tuitama try sealed a 35-26 victory.

The Hurricanes continued their form into the semi-final where they opened the scoring with Jamie Booth following an Alex Fidow break. The Crusaders hit back with a try to George Bridge before another try to Jamie Booth who pounced on a loose pass and kicked ahead to score. Stout defence by the Canes held their 14-5 lead going into the sheds.

Manasa Mataele scored midway through the second stanza following a poor kick option inside the Crusaders 22 by the Hurricanes. Mataele raced away to put the Crusaders within striking distance down 14-10 but they couldn’t find a way through. The Hurricanes were particularly impressive at disrupting their lineout.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Hurricanes and Blues will meet in the final at 8 pm local time.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

O
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
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
Search