Northern Edition

Select Edition

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

Hurricanes vs Chiefs takeaways: Yellow is the new red, Razor will be calling

Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs and Asafo Aumua of the Hurricanes. (Photos by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

The Super Rugby Pacific reins have finally been relinquished by the Crusaders and it’s the Hurricanes who are seizing the opportunity, dominating the competition and proving their youth won’t hold them back in the big games.

ADVERTISEMENT

On Saturday night the Wellington squad sent a message to the competition that on their night they can steamroll their nearest challenger, with ambitious attack and strengths across the park.

Half of Wellington came out for the contest and only the sprinkling of Chiefs fans across Sky Stadium were heading home disappointed, but all fans headed for the gates entertained.

Video Spacer
Video Spacer

It was a classic Super Rugby Pacific contest, here are some takeaways.

TJ Perenara is still in his prime

The halfback is fit and firing, missing no opportunity to inflict his will on the game.

Coming up against one of the game’s brightest young stars at No. 9 in Cortez Ratima, Perenara had moments where his performance offered a clinic on how to be an aggressive, opportunistic threat at halfback.

The 32-year-old is hyper-aware of the laws and picks his moments around the ruck defensively to make life hell for opposition halfbacks, or anyone looking to pick the ball up from the back of the ruck.

Against the Chiefs on Saturday night, Perenara equalled Julian Savea’s record for most tries in Super Rugby Pacific history, later telling the commentary team post-match that Savea would be receiving a text from him the minute he gets his phone back in the locker room, as is the competitive nature of the No. 9.

ADVERTISEMENT

Perenara is showing nothing but energy and enthusiasm every time he’s near the ball and offers an experienced head in fine form for Scott Robertson’s consideration. It’s very likely the coach is eyeing Perenara for a return to higher honours.

Related

The Hurricanes scrum is a cheat code 

Time after time the Hurricanes scrum destroyed the Chiefs, with both Xavier Numia and Tyrel Lomax winning penalties.

Lomax is an established All Black, well-known as the premier tighthead prop in the country over recent years and provides strong play in the core areas for his position.

Numia on the other hand debuted for the All Blacks XV in 2023 and has had to prove he is more than a dynamic, ball-playing prop. In 2024, he has certainly done that.

ADVERTISEMENT

Aided by the sometimes inhuman strength of Asafo Aumua, the Hurricanes’ props absolutely destroyed their Chiefs counterparts, ensuring they always had a foothold in the contest.

That dominance did falter briefly to start the second half, but the Hurricanes boast both quality and quantity. The reserve unit of Pouri Rakete-Stones and Pasilio Tosi offer immense size and strength, giving the Chiefs no respite in the final quarter of the game.

On the flip side of this, It’s hard to see the Chiefs going all the way this season if they can be overpowered like this so consistently in a match.

Momentum

0'
HT
FT
Hurricanes
Chiefs

Clark Laidlaw was the signing of the year

The former Sevens guru’s success with the Hurricanes raises some intriguing questions. While the young core Laidlaw has inherited have no doubt developed into some of the most promising prospects in the country, it’s curious that the Canes have taken such a giant leap after Jason Holland departed for the All Blacks.

Laidlaw maintained plenty of continuity within the coaching staff, while the departures of Dane Coles and Ardie Savea didn’t stop the coach from making bold calls around the youth of his side, famously signalling to Julian Savea that it was time for the next generation to take centre stage.

The appointment appears to be working wonders for Jordie Barrett in particular. A challenge when moving up from fullback and a skillset the northern hemisphere are separating themselves with is the ability to play the ball comfortably right at the line. Barrett is looking much more comfortable in the face of aggressive defensive line speed in 2024 already, making good reads and executing as a playmaker. Barrett’s skillset had the Chiefs defence hesitating in the contest, resulting in a soft shoulder for the bruiser to attack in the midfield.

Overall, the Hurricanes players look empowered, positive and like they are playing with unrivalled freedom. Giving Asafo Aumua captaincy responsibilities is looking like a superb call.

The coach has emphasised culture within the team and for a squad so familiar with each other thanks to the Lions’ recent NPC success, there’s a strong core of players who are tight-knit and play for each other.

Yellow is the new red

There will never be another dynasty like the Crusaders’ recent run in Super Rugby, and there shouldn’t be. So, this isn’t to say the Canes are about to launch an all-out assault on the competitiveness of this competition, but there has been a power shift and the Wellington club have staked their claim as the strongest team in the competition.

Of the many players coming of age for the Hurricanes in 2024, many are in their early 20s.

Aside from Brad Shields who was initially named captain but has only recently joined the fold on the field, the captaincy honours have been shared by Asafo Aumua (26) and Jordie Barrett (27).

Attack

161
Passes
133
119
Ball Carries
102
289m
Post Contact Metres
144m
7
Line Breaks
3

The lineout was shaky at times but outside of that, the Hurricanes looked to be the stronger team across the park on Saturday night, proving their youth is no barrier to complete performances.

The big test will of course come in the knockout stages, where the Hurricanes are likely to enjoy home-field advantage. That will be the true test of character for this team and their newfound energy.

Big decisions beckon for New Zealand Rugby and Peter Lakai

Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose and Du’Plessis Kirifi are all names that have justifiably been mentioned in All Blacks discussion this season, and given Kirifi is currently coming off the bench and a certain World Rugby Player of the Year will be back on deck in 2025, it begs the question of whether the Hurricanes, and New Zealand Rugby, can retain all this talent.

Perhaps a bigger question comes over one specific selection. Lakai entered the fray as a No. 8 with the ability to play openside, excelling in the No. 7 jersey of late. If he has the capacity to don the No. 6 jersey, that might be an option worth exploring at the expense of Shields. That being said, at such a young age, moving the youngster around is something you want to limit.\

Player Carries

1
Jordie Barrett
13
2
Joshua Moorby
10
3
Peter Lakai
10

Lakai and the coaching staff – of both the Hurricanes and All Blacks – have to make a decision on where his future lies. Given his form at just 21 years of age, it’s likely the loose forward will rise to be a premier option at any position he should choose, but it’s worth having the conversation over where his services will be needed the most.

The No. 8 and openside positions offer national selectors plenty of depth, whereas Jerome Kaino’s boots on the blindside flank have proven incredibly difficult to fill. Lakai has the work rate and physicality, although lacks the height of a Shannon Frizell or Kaino.

One man whom Lakai has been likened to is Savea, and so regardless of which position Lakai ends up in, the lesson that Savea’s career should have taught New Zealand Rugby is that just because a player offers versatility, that doesn’t mean you have to use it. Give this kid one role to master and see how he flies.

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

South Africa vs New Zealand | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

Argentina vs Australia | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

Saitama Wildknights vs Tokyo Sungoliath | Japan Rugby League 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

The Game that Made Jonah Lomu

The gruelling reality behind one of the fastest sports in the world | The Report

Boks Office | Episode 40 | The Steven Kitshoff Special

Perry Baker in the house | HSBC Life on Tour | Los Angeles

Confidence knocks and finding your people | Flo Williams | Rugby Rising Locker Room

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

12 Comments
D
DC 396 days ago

lets wait and see what happens in fiji and canberra overthe next 2 weeks. remember we are only half way through super rugby. tj is playing well and the hurricanes have a forward pack to match their back line.

S
Super Sid 396 days ago

Don't know which game some of you's were watching but Perenara is still the same slow to clear, slow to react halfback that he always was. The only thing he brought to his team's efforts was his borderline offside defensive reads and tackling.

Ratima’s forwards gave him slow ball alot of the time and he ran all over and through the Canes most of the night. It looked like the old slow champ making way for the new faster version.

Hurricane’s supporter here.

Unbelievably for us who have been here since day one - 1996 Palmy vs the Blues, it looks like we're going to have a Cane's All Black front row - unheard of. Xavier Numia deserves his shot alongside his bruise brothers.

J
JH 396 days ago

NZ media have a thing for Perenara (and Beauden).


They seem to forget TJ has had far more poor games for the ABs than good ones. Much like Beauden the last five years.

E
EW 396 days ago

Bringing back players who will be past their best in 2027 is not the way to go.

R
Ruby 396 days ago

We kept Aaron around. TJ is in better form than he's been for years, with Roigard out I'd be going with TJ, Fakatava and someone new, maybe Hotham, it's a position we're now going to struggle with and we need someone experienced there even if they're not going to be there in 2027.

M
Machpants 396 days ago

Please don't call it the ‘Wellington’ squad, because it is not. The hurricanes are the franchise for the lower North Island. It's not the Sydney tahs, or Dunedin Highlanders. Also, the hurricanes are a franchise, not a club. Accuracy matters in reporting

J
JH 396 days ago

Someone should tell Aussie TV commentators that. They still call nz teams the Auckland Blues, Canterbury Crusaders etc.


Having said that, these teams so rarely play at the other franchise unions, you’d be forgiven for thinking they’re a team from one location.

G
GM 396 days ago

Disagree Andrew. The Chiefs do not have the propping cattle - that was always going to be a weakness against the top scrummaging sides. They should get cracking over the off-season and see if they can lure someone like Tevita Mafileo, who played for AB XV last year, but can’t even get on the bench for the Canes. Setiti didn’t disgrace himself, nor did Finau, but the one guy from the Chiefs pack who could get a start with the Canes would be Ah Kuoi - at No. 6, probably. The Chiefs went backwards when they subbed him off. Hope Razor is looking at this guy instead of recycling the usual suspects (like Blackadder).

C
Chiefs Mana 395 days ago

Chiefs loosie balance seems off, need a genuine 7 in there with Finau and Jacobson. Big fan of Sititi, he’s got an exciting future.


Our scrum continues to be a concern and was our issue in loss vs Reds also, agree with your comments there. Looking forward to hosting the Canes in the Tron next month for some redemption, I predict them to be playing in the final against one another in Wellington.

A
Andrew 396 days ago

1. Lakai looks good but lets not overlook Wallace Sititi. 2. No question Chiefs scrum got done early on but then was fine and wasnt moved. 3. Canes direct power running was the key to victory esp when the Chiefs wings just resorted to gormless kicking away of valuable possession. In this, the Chiefs have the cattle but like when Cane was there lack leadership to rally when stuff goes pear shaped. Jacobson isnt a great captain. They really miss Webber’s leadership.

D
DS 396 days ago

The Canes look very organized, working well as a team but a word of caution. The Chiefs were 11 points clear at the rounds end last year, having beaten the Crusaders twice during the rounds. Then, Ben the Ref says hold my beer.

R
Ruby 396 days ago

O’Keefe is affiliated with the Hurricanes, I'm not sure how it works but with any luck he won't be able to ref any knockout games involving the Hurricanes.

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

S
Solenn Bonnet 3 days ago
Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

My name is Solenn Bonnet, and I am a single mother navigating the challenges of raising my two-year-old child while trying to make ends meet. I came across a trading platform that promised astonishing daily profits of 18%. The allure of such a high return on investment was too tempting to resist, and I found myself drawn into cryptocurrency trading. Excited by the prospect of financial freedom, I invested a significant amount of my savings, totaling over 5.7 BTC. However, what started as a hopeful venture quickly turned into a nightmare. The platform was a scam, and I lost everything I had invested. The emotional toll of this loss was immense; I felt devastated and helpless, struggling to provide for my child and keep up with my bills. In my desperate attempt to recover my funds, I sought help from various recovery experts. Unfortunately, I encountered numerous fraudulent individuals who claimed they could help me retrieve my lost money. Each time I reached out, I was met with disappointment and further scams, which only deepened my despair. Last year was one of the most challenging periods of my life, filled with anxiety and uncertainty about my financial future. Feeling overwhelmed and at a loss, I confided in a close friend from church about my situation. She listened compassionately and shared her own experiences with financial difficulties. Understanding my plight, she introduced me to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, a group of skilled hackers known for their expertise in recovering lost funds. Skeptical yet hopeful, I decided to reach out to them as a last resort. Their services came at a higher cost, but my friend generously offered to help me with a partial payment. I was amazed by how quickly they responded and began the recovery process. Their team was professional, efficient, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire ordeal. To my relief, they successfully recovered more than I had lost to those heartless scammers. This was truly transformative, and I felt a sense of relief and gratitude that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I strongly encourage anyone who has faced similar challenges or fallen victim to scams to reach out to Tech Cyber Force Recovery. If you’ve invested in a fraudulent platform like I did, they are highly capable of helping you reclaim your hard-earned money. Don’t lose hope; there is a way to recover what you’ve lost.

CONSULT TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY

EMAIL.. support@techyforcecyberretrieval.com

WhatsApp.. +15617263697

website.. https://techyforcecyberretrieval.com

Telegram.. +15617263697

0 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Irish-qualified ex-England U20 centre Piers O'Conor in URC switch Irish-qualified ex-England U20 centre Piers O'Conor in URC switch
Search