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Waratahs in firing line with Hurricanes eager to respond to Brumbies loss

323 days ago

Brayden Iose of the Hurricanes. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The Hurricanes’ losing streak against the Brumbies continued in round 10 of Super Rugby Pacific, ending the Wellington team’s unbeaten run in 2024.

The Hurricanes had established themselves as the team to beat this season with their dominant form seeing them to convincing victories over fellow title contenders the Blues and Chiefs, but the Brumbies were out with a point to prove after a record loss to the Blues the week prior.

It was a historic run that came to an end in Canberra, and while the Hurricanes still boast the top spot on the Super Rugby table, the team emphasised the importance of feeling the disappointment of the loss.

Sam Whitelock on the hurt of the 2023 RWC final

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Sam Whitelock on the hurt of the 2023 RWC final

Sam Whitelock on the narrow loss to the Springboks. Watch the full interview on RugbyPass TV now.

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Hurricanes captain Brad Shields said there was a feeling of flatness in the locker room following the result.

“A few times in that game, we could have changed the momentum and how the game could have gone,” Shields said. “We didn’t capitalise in certain areas of the field, or we coughed up the pill too easily.

“It’s important that the boys are disappointed. They don’t like losing, but you’ve got to use that as motivation and drive to get things better.

“We have to make sure that we don’t think we turn into a poor team overnight, because we’ve done some really good things and still won snippets of that game, but we couldn’t quite string it together multiple times, and that’s what we’ve been good at all season.”

The Brumbies broke through 42 Hurricanes tackles, including five of tackle machine Du’Plessis Kirifi, no mean feat in itself. Behind Kirifi, who also had a game-high 23 tackles made, winger Salesi Rayasi, hooker Raymond Tuputupu and centre Peter Umaga-Jensen each fell off four defensive attempts.

Hurricanes coach Clack Laidlaw said the Brumbies’ fast start was a huge factor in the game, also admitting his side weren’t able to reverse that momentum in a meaningful enough way.

It was the first contest between the two teams since last year’s quarter-final, where the Brumbies knocked the Huricanes out in a controversial finish as Ardie Savea was adamant his last minute effort to cross the line was not held up like it was ruled to be.

Laidlaw added that he felt this game had a playoffs level of energy to it and the loss would serve the team well in the long run.

“I’m excited about what we can learn from this and what we take into the Waratahs game next week.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

MichaelT4 16 minutes ago

Six Nations report card: Each team graded from A to F

I definitely watched the game - England did stun them by winning, no one expected that. Not Englands fault that France dropped the ball - figuratively and literally - and it was England who then outscored them and out scrummed them and battered their big forwards back several times. England arent given enough credit for that win. Game of the tournament. Ireland v France wasnt a game by the second half, it was one-way.

For the Scotland game they were lucky Russell missed his kicks, but Scotland should have had a red card for the head contact from the winger on Chessum. No arms, jumped up and first contact was with the head. Evens out on the luck front.

Not sure England deserve an A that this article gives them, should be reserved for the winner, but they won their games by scoring more points. If another team had the same tournament as England, they would be lauded for their character and grit.

2 Go to comments

JB 32 minutes ago

Six Nations report card: Each team graded from A to F

Re England … “they stunned France …”

Really? Were we watching the same game? France left at least 3 tries begging, none of which were due to England’s defense - they should have been out of sight by half time.

For me, it was more France losing the game than England winning it.

France were stunned, yes, but by themselves

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TI 52 minutes ago

Lions selection: 3 winners and losers from each country

Hugo Keenan played well in games where Ireland didn’t. I think he should be listed as a winner instead of Beirne, or Sheehan, who were always going to go.

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Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?

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36 Go to comments

fl 1 hour ago

Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?

It will be interesting to see how developmental the summer squad is. Given how much consistency of selection there was throughout 2024 and the early part of 2025, I wonder if Borthwick’s suddenly erratic teamsheets were an attempt to build enough depth to play almost solely first team players against Argentina.

E.g. if Freeman and Furbank both go to Australia (which I think would be unlikely) England could still field a back three of Marcus Smith, Roebuck, and Feyi-Waboso, with Steward, Daly, Sleightholme, and Murley also in the squad. Similarly if both Curry brothers and Ben Earl all go (which I think would be similarly unlikely) England could still select Tom Willis, Underhill, and Cunningham-South in the back row. Hardly a developmental lineup! There would have to be newer and less experienced players brought in in the second row and at centre, but even here there could be starting partnerships of Martin & Coles and Dingwall & Daly.

I think there’s a good chance England’s progress will be built on directly in Argentina.

36 Go to comments

JD Kiwi 1 hour ago

Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?

The big concern for me is that our 13 forwards are at a big disadvantage against their 15.

36 Go to comments

Otagoman II 1 hour ago

Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?

They had an average game against a Hurricanes side that was marginally better. They were poor protecting their ball and blew many promising attacking raids. Tangitau did his best to win the game by himself with a 85 metre intercept try and a a quick tap kick ahead that resulted in another. Highlanders scored no phase play tries. Joseph said that their attack was basically too conservative playing one out and that the support should of been better. They will need to do better with their attack this saturday as the Reds have plenty of points in them with quick ball.

36 Go to comments

fl 1 hour ago

Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?