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Match Report: Win not enough for Chiefs

Toni Pulu of the Chiefs is tackled by two Hurricanes defenders

The Chiefs will have to travel to Wellington next week, despite an impressive win over the Hurricanes on Friday.

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In a thrilling – and, at times, brutal encounter – the Chiefs won 28-26 in Hamilton on Friday.

The teams scored four tries each, with Marty McKenzie kicking four conversions for the Chiefs and Jordie Barrett two for the Hurricanes.

The winning margin was too small for the Chiefs – who had to win by at least 23 points and earn a bonus point to secure home ground advantage in the quarterfinals – and they will have a rematch in Wellington next week.

The Chiefs looked like they might reach their goal when they raced into a 21-0 lead at half time.

But the Hurricanes fought back in an entertaining encounter.

Both teams scored four tries apiece, with the Chiefs starting strongly then slowing after centre Jonathan Faauli was sent off in the second half.

“The last few weeks we’ve started really well and had a great first half but let them come back in the second,” said Chiefs captain Brodie Retallick.

“That’s something we’ll need to look at next week in Wellington.”

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Hurricanes skipper Beauden Barrett said he was pleased to retain home advantage, despite defeat in the final match of the regular season.

“Although we didn’t win the game, we can take a bit of confidence knowing we that when we roll up our sleeves and go to work we can apply a bit of pressure,” he said.

Retallick, back from a six-week injury layoff, opened the scoring for the Chiefs with a try in the seventh minute.

They had two more within 30 minutes after a Brad Weber intercept and a Solomon Alaimalo effort set up when Shaun Stevenson soccer kicked the ball along the sideline.

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The shell-shocked Hurricanes struggled with the Chiefs’ swarming defence and let themselves down with handling errors when they did threaten.

Trailing 21-0, the Hurricanes blew a chance to get on the board early in the second half when Jordie Barrett missed a long-range penalty attempt.

Wes Goosen finally gave them a try in the 51st minute, opening up the game in a frantic 10 minute spell when the Chiefs almost had two tries and the Hurricanes one.

Wellington forward Blade Thomson scored out wide to narrow the gap to 21-14.

The Hurricanes then gained a one-man advantage after Faauli was red-carded for a head-high shoulder charge on Goosen.

Ben May made the most of the extra space to barge over the line for the Hurricanes third try but Mitch Karpik hit back immediately.

Julian Savea crossed for the Hurricanes as the full-time siren sounded but by then the Chiefs had already secured victory and the Hurricanes had done enough to retain their home quarterfinal.

@rugby365

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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
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