cyRil
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Hurricanes 34-28 Western Force
Cruden late-show saves hosts
The Hurricanes secured only their fourth win of the SupeRugby season after digging deep and grabbing two late tries to snatch victory from the Western Force, in Palmerston North on Friday night.
'Canes fly-half Aaron Cruden produced a masterful performance in the last 15 minutes, creating two scores and converting both to take the game for the home side; consigning their visitors to another defeat after leading for the majority of the match.
It was a tepid and frustrating performance on the whole from the Wellingtonians, who found it difficult throughout to maintain possession, build significant pressure and contain a commendable forward effort from the Force. But with the game reaching its closing stages, the likes of Cruden, Ma'a Nonu and the impressive youngster Jack Lam stepped up, and showed spirit and grit to claim the bonus-point win.
Nonu contributed 2 tries in the 'Canes come-back win
It was the Perth-based franchise that were first on the scoreboard. From their first attack of the game, 'Canes captain Victor Vito was penalised for not releasing in the tackle, gifting the Force's experienced full-back and kicker Cameron Shepherd an easy shot at 3 points.
Both sides had definitely started the game like two teams struggling for form and wins this season, showing a lack of composure and continuity to take the game to the other – with both sets of XV looking uncertain with ball in hand, and frail defensively.
It was shaky defence that was exploited in the 12th minute, when 'Canes scrum-half Chris Eaton sniped around the fringes to set up a promising attack. From the ensuing ruck th ball was slung right, finding the returning Conrad Smith who hit the gap at pace, taking tacklers with him, before expertly popping it up for an onrushing Nonu who hurried away and dabbed down for 5 points. The extras were converted by fly-half Cruden; 7-3 Hurricanes.
The lead was short-lived however, and another Shepherd penalty was quickly followed by a Rory Sidey try. A good break from winger and ex-Hurricane David Smith set the platform up for a Force attack; from the initial burst the ball was shipped left and Sidey collected for an easy run-in. Shepherd was accurate with the boot again, and the away side now held a 3-point lead with 10 minutes until half-time.
Things got worse for the Hurricanes moments later, when veteran Wallaby got in on the try action himself. His Force side were beginning to play some really good rugby, and it was something the 'Canes just could not handle. Led by a strong and rolling pack marshalled by the general – Nathan Sharpe – straight and direct running caused chaos in the home defensive line, meaning the Aussies made metres every time they took the ball forward.
Although Shepherd was unsuccessful with his latest attempt, at the interval the Force were the occupiers of an unexpected but wholly-deserved 18-10 lead.
The Hurricanes were looking short of ideas and offered little by way of substantial penetration with ball in hand, but there was a discernible improvement in efforts on the 50-minute mark when, after some dogged forward work, inside-centre Nonu went over for his, and his side's, second try of the game.
From a solid scrum, the 'Canes attacked a wide and inviting openside, with Smith again making hard yards and big gains; before Nonu cleverly ripped the ball from his centre partner's arms before being taken to ground, and dived over to make it a one-point ball game.
But the deficit was extended again soon after, with Victor Vito coughing possession up following a stupid mistake from a quick tap penalty.
The Force's scrum provided the foundation the backs required to cause problems for the 'Canes, and some brilliant work from stand-in pivot James Stannard – who was impressive throughout – saw the diminutive playmaker ghost through the line, evading 2 tackles and then feeding the supporting Ben McCalman on his shoulder, with the Number 8 given a simple opportunity to flop over the line.
Stannard performed admirably in O'Connor's absence
The two teams exchanged penalties in the following minutes to keep the scores divided by an 8-point margin, but with less than 10 minutes of play remaining Cruden moved up the gears to create two sublime scores to win it for the hosts.
The first saw the young All Black display deft footwork to draw in defenders, before freeing his hands to flick a delicious blind-pass up for second row James Broadhurst to gather and rampage over the whitewash.
The conversion was made, and within minutes he was placing the ball on the tee for a shot at goal again. Finding gaps and space to run into with ease, Cruden galloped away downfield, supplying the ball to fellow youngster Lam, who made good yards into the heart of the Force defence, in turn providing the ball out wide for Julian Savea, who drew the last man and offloaded to Cory Jane to apply the finish.
Cruden completed his faultless kicking display with his fifth successful goal-kick of the night, and the 'Canes had turned the game around to lead 34-28 with seconds left to play. Some ferocious attack and defence in the closing moments saw the Force bring play perilously close to the Hurricanes' line once more, and threatened to break home fans' hearts; but they could make no tangible impression on the Wellington defence and after 17 phases lost the ball and lost the game.
For the Hurricanes, sweet relief following a come-back that owed much to the creative work of Cruden their fly-half and the strong running of centres Nonu and Smith.
For the Force, the team are left yet again with the bitter taste of defeat after holding a commanding position in a game, and bemoaning a lack of experience and quality from injured key players – like the mercurial James O'Connor – who could have contributed to what would have been a crucial away win.
Star Man: Aaron Cruden (Hurricanes) – A flawless kicking performance from the All Black, he upped his all-round game in the final 15 minutes, making some superb breaks and setting up the tries that won it for his team.
5 metre Flop: Victor Vito (Hurricanes) – Gave away silly penalties and elementary mistakes tarnished his game.
Hurricanes 34-28 Western Force
Cruden late-show saves hosts
The Hurricanes secured only their fourth win of the SupeRugby season after digging deep and grabbing two late tries to snatch victory from the Western Force, in Palmerston North on Friday night.
'Canes fly-half Aaron Cruden produced a masterful performance in the last 15 minutes, creating two scores and converting both to take the game for the home side; consigning their visitors to another defeat after leading for the majority of the match.
It was a tepid and frustrating performance on the whole from the Wellingtonians, who found it difficult throughout to maintain possession, build significant pressure and contain a commendable forward effort from the Force. But with the game reaching its closing stages, the likes of Cruden, Ma'a Nonu and the impressive youngster Jack Lam stepped up, and showed spirit and grit to claim the bonus-point win.
Nonu contributed 2 tries in the 'Canes come-back win
It was the Perth-based franchise that were first on the scoreboard. From their first attack of the game, 'Canes captain Victor Vito was penalised for not releasing in the tackle, gifting the Force's experienced full-back and kicker Cameron Shepherd an easy shot at 3 points.
Both sides had definitely started the game like two teams struggling for form and wins this season, showing a lack of composure and continuity to take the game to the other – with both sets of XV looking uncertain with ball in hand, and frail defensively.
It was shaky defence that was exploited in the 12th minute, when 'Canes scrum-half Chris Eaton sniped around the fringes to set up a promising attack. From the ensuing ruck th ball was slung right, finding the returning Conrad Smith who hit the gap at pace, taking tacklers with him, before expertly popping it up for an onrushing Nonu who hurried away and dabbed down for 5 points. The extras were converted by fly-half Cruden; 7-3 Hurricanes.
The lead was short-lived however, and another Shepherd penalty was quickly followed by a Rory Sidey try. A good break from winger and ex-Hurricane David Smith set the platform up for a Force attack; from the initial burst the ball was shipped left and Sidey collected for an easy run-in. Shepherd was accurate with the boot again, and the away side now held a 3-point lead with 10 minutes until half-time.
Things got worse for the Hurricanes moments later, when veteran Wallaby got in on the try action himself. His Force side were beginning to play some really good rugby, and it was something the 'Canes just could not handle. Led by a strong and rolling pack marshalled by the general – Nathan Sharpe – straight and direct running caused chaos in the home defensive line, meaning the Aussies made metres every time they took the ball forward.
Although Shepherd was unsuccessful with his latest attempt, at the interval the Force were the occupiers of an unexpected but wholly-deserved 18-10 lead.
The Hurricanes were looking short of ideas and offered little by way of substantial penetration with ball in hand, but there was a discernible improvement in efforts on the 50-minute mark when, after some dogged forward work, inside-centre Nonu went over for his, and his side's, second try of the game.
From a solid scrum, the 'Canes attacked a wide and inviting openside, with Smith again making hard yards and big gains; before Nonu cleverly ripped the ball from his centre partner's arms before being taken to ground, and dived over to make it a one-point ball game.
But the deficit was extended again soon after, with Victor Vito coughing possession up following a stupid mistake from a quick tap penalty.
The Force's scrum provided the foundation the backs required to cause problems for the 'Canes, and some brilliant work from stand-in pivot James Stannard – who was impressive throughout – saw the diminutive playmaker ghost through the line, evading 2 tackles and then feeding the supporting Ben McCalman on his shoulder, with the Number 8 given a simple opportunity to flop over the line.
Stannard performed admirably in O'Connor's absence
The two teams exchanged penalties in the following minutes to keep the scores divided by an 8-point margin, but with less than 10 minutes of play remaining Cruden moved up the gears to create two sublime scores to win it for the hosts.
The first saw the young All Black display deft footwork to draw in defenders, before freeing his hands to flick a delicious blind-pass up for second row James Broadhurst to gather and rampage over the whitewash.
The conversion was made, and within minutes he was placing the ball on the tee for a shot at goal again. Finding gaps and space to run into with ease, Cruden galloped away downfield, supplying the ball to fellow youngster Lam, who made good yards into the heart of the Force defence, in turn providing the ball out wide for Julian Savea, who drew the last man and offloaded to Cory Jane to apply the finish.
Cruden completed his faultless kicking display with his fifth successful goal-kick of the night, and the 'Canes had turned the game around to lead 34-28 with seconds left to play. Some ferocious attack and defence in the closing moments saw the Force bring play perilously close to the Hurricanes' line once more, and threatened to break home fans' hearts; but they could make no tangible impression on the Wellington defence and after 17 phases lost the ball and lost the game.
For the Hurricanes, sweet relief following a come-back that owed much to the creative work of Cruden their fly-half and the strong running of centres Nonu and Smith.
For the Force, the team are left yet again with the bitter taste of defeat after holding a commanding position in a game, and bemoaning a lack of experience and quality from injured key players – like the mercurial James O'Connor – who could have contributed to what would have been a crucial away win.
Star Man: Aaron Cruden (Hurricanes) – A flawless kicking performance from the All Black, he upped his all-round game in the final 15 minutes, making some superb breaks and setting up the tries that won it for his team.
5 metre Flop: Victor Vito (Hurricanes) – Gave away silly penalties and elementary mistakes tarnished his game.
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