Match Review and Statistics: Crusaders V Hurricanes

Hurricanes finally show promise to announce contender status

This was the match that the Hurricanes' faithful were waiting for—one fulfilling of much promise.  So much in fact, that they were being talked up as a possible championship favourites.

There first two games had not satisfied such expectations.  Against the Waratahs and the Highlanders, they played with questionable tactics.  They kicked the ball poorly, and did not look inclined to run back at their opposition with purpose; something that a team full of X factor players should be doing.

Despite this, they had dominated statistics in their first games, but did not build the phases to enable them to establish legitimate game winning pressure.

Meanwhile Canterbury had looked very much the vintage of a seven time championship winning team.  No Robbie Deans or Dan Carter, arguably the best in the world at their respective roles, seemed to have little negative impact on the team.

The Crusaders looked impressive against the Chiefs, and then were beaten only in the final minutes by an impressive Brumbies team despite nearly strangling the life out of them via a new look rush defence.

In the first half, it appeared that the Hurricanes had overcome their most negative attribute seen in the opening two rounds of the tournament.  They were not kicking the ball, and running with venom and promoting broken play.

For all of the history and decorations this Crusaders team wields, they do not like playing teams that dictate loose structure.  When it comes to voluminous open play, no team in world rugby plays with the freewheeling style that the Hurricanes do.

The Wellington based franchise harried and made the Crusaders play in a dirty unorthodox manner in which they are not renowned for.  In the first half this paid dividends, not only on the scoreboard, but through the officiating of Australian Stu Dickenson.

He was severe on the Crusaders, sending Captain Richie McCaw to the sin bin in the first forty.

Down by nine points at halftime, the Crusaders' astonishing home winning record of 82 percent looked under threat.

For no apparent reason though, the Hurricanes came out in the first half deciding to kick the ball away, and immediately the Crusaders reverted back to the pre programmed traditional attack.  They counter attacked with a flourish, and scored to have the Hurricanes looking nervously over their shoulders.

But the attacking class of the Hurricanes was overwhelming, led by All Blacks Ma’a Nonu and Piri Weepu.  Both players, ignored by the national selectors over a year ago, have transformed as footballers and were imposing against the red and blacks.

Weepu was brilliant running the play from first five eighth, after having conversations this week with All Black coach Graham Henry about filling this position in national colours.  He missed no kicks from goal, and his combination with fellow All Black Alby Mathewson could be a winning one if the Hurricanes keep performing at this level.

Nonu made multiple breaks, set up one try and scored another.  In the same way that he made the Hurricanes look so much more threatening last week against the Highlanders when he came on at half time; his team looked a shadow of itself without his menace in the midfield when he was substituted.

After scoring his try to take the score to 30-12, he left the field, and then Canterbury came back with a vengeance, in a manner expecting of such a well drilled team.

They scored two late tries to almost snatch victory, but will take two bonus points from the match for losing within seven and scoring four tries.

There was much to admire in the play of the Crusaders, who welcomed back All Blacks McCaw and Brad Thorn this week, but still were without the services of All Blacks Leon Macdonald, Andy Ellis and Corey Flynn. 

Young Stephen Brett, who re-signed with the NZRU this week till 2011, looked comfortable at fullback.  However, young fly half Colin Slade came back to earth this week, having a less than assured performance as the playmaker.

For the Hurricanes, Captain Rodney So’oialo had a powerful game, but it was his combination with fellow loose forwards Scott Waldrom and Karl Lowe (both open side flankers) that enabled the Hurricanes to dominate the tackle area and handcuff the brilliance of the Canterbury back row.

It was only the second time that the Hurricanes had beaten the Crusaders at home, and only the fourth victory against them overall since 1996.

Hurricanes 30(Guildford, Mathewson, Nonu)

Defeat Crusaders 24(Laulala, Thorn, Payne, Waldrom tries)

(h/t Crusaders 7 Hurricanes 16)

Key statistics (Home team stat first) – Possession: 42 to 58, Territory: 47 to 53, Breakdowns: 82 to 69, handling errors: 15 to 10, Time in opposition 22: 9 to 10

Next Week:Canterbury travels to Otago to play Highlanders, Hurricanes play host to Cheetahs