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Match Report: Hurricanes hold off Chiefs to reach final four

Ben Lam scores for Hurricanes against Chiefs

The Hurricanes are a game away from a third Super Rugby final in four seasons after they overcame the Chiefs 32-31 in Friday’s quarter-final.

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Seven days earlier, the Chiefs had beaten the Hurricanes in the final regular-season encounter, but a repeat at Westpac Stadium proved beyond them in an entertaining contest that started with a Julian Savea interception try in the first minute.

The Chiefs stayed within striking until just after the hour mark, when TJ Perenara’s second try helped the Hurricanes to pull away.

A pair of late consolation tries from the Chiefs ensured the final score was one that reflected what was for the most part a tight tussle, but it is the Hurricanes who progress to face either the Crusaders or the Sharks in the last four.

Continue reading below…

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Savea opened the scoring in spectacular fashion when he picked off a pass and raced away to score under the posts.

He came close to repeating the feat soon after but was hauled down deep in the Chiefs’ territory.

But six minutes after Savea had broken the deadlock, the Chiefs levelled matters as neat handling work down the left sent Brad Weber in to dot down.

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Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie traded penalties before Perenara dashed over to restore the Hurricanes’ advantage and give them a 17-10 lead going into the break.

Anton Lienert-Brown redressed the balance 11 minutes into the second half as he latched onto an excellent run from Lachlan Boshier.

However, the boot of Barrett nudged the Hurricanes ahead once more and this time there was no way back for the Chiefs.

Perenara squirmed over for his second after some intense pressure on the Chiefs line before Ben Lam gave the Hurricanes what proved decisive breathing room when he went over in the left corner.

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McKenzie finished off a well-worked move and Boshier crashed over from short range as the Chiefs finished their season with a flourish to give the scoreline a much more flattering look.

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Nickers 33 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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