Super 15: Hurricanes - Reds in Wellington (30-04-2011)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

In Wellington the Reds look to extend their winning streak to 8 when they take on the Hurricanes. The Brisbane side have only lost in round 2 and have been topping the overall Log for quite some time now. Last week they finally managed to beat the Waratahs 19-15 but it was at a price. Rod Davies, Digby Ioane, James Slipper and Ben Daley all ended the day with an injury. Reds coach Ewen McKenzie is however confident that he has enough depth to cover the losses at prop and wing.

The Hurricanes have to get back to their tight defense. In the last 2 matches they conceded a total of 10 tries. Now, back at home for the first time since the start of the month (round 7) they will want to bounce back and keep the Reds from scoring. Doing so will be hard enough because the Reds are on fire. Scoring 6 tries against the Bulls and winning both their tour matches in South Africa (against the Lions and Stormers) shows they are ready to take on any opponent. The Hurricanes will be their first opponent across the ditch and will be a match that has to be taken seriously. The Hurricanes miss Conrad Smith, Aaron Cruden and Piri Weepu among others but hope their backline with among others Gear, Nonu and Jane will be able to hurt the Reds defense.

History doesn't show good fortune for the Reds. The last time the Queensland side managed to win in Wellington was back in 1998 when their triumph was well deserved with a 33-41 win. The only other time they won in Wellington was in the inaugural season when they won 25-32. Since the turn of the century, the Reds came close in 2006 when they lost by 4 points and 2008 when the difference was only 5. The biggest win by the Hurricanes on the Reds was last year when they won 44-21.


2010 Hurricanes 44 - Reds 21
2009 Reds 28 - Hurricanes 37
2008 Hurricanes 23 - Reds 18
2007 Reds 15 - Hurricanes 26
2006 Hurricanes 26 - Reds 22
2005 Reds 10 - Hurricanes 24
2004 Hurricanes 29 - Reds 12
2003 Reds 23 - Hurricanes 26
2002 Hurricanes 22 - Reds 18
2001 Reds 27 - Hurricanes 18
2000 Hurricanes 43 - Reds 25

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

On form, you'd have to give the favorites tag to the Reds even with the Hurricanes at home as both teams are coming off big tours. I believe Ma'a Nonu is injured as well and he was the danger man in the backline against the Sharks.

Still, go the 'Canes!

 

[Darwin]

On form, you'd have to give the favorites tag to the Reds even with the Hurricanes at home as both teams are coming off big tours. I believe Ma'a Nonu is injured as well and he was the danger man in the backline against the Sharks.

Still, go the 'Canes!

Yep Nonu is out injured with a fractured eye socket, while Cory Jane is also out for a month with a torn hamstring. However these loses could be off-set by the return of both Aaron Cruden and Piri Weepu, who are possibly going to be available this week. If Cruden and Weepu are passed fit I'd imagine they would both be eased back from the bench. Who will replace Nonu is interesting - Hayward was used at 12 early in the year when Nonu was suspended, but he's been playing 13 to cover the injured Smith. I'd imagine Ngatai will join Hayward in the midfield (though I don't know which of them will play 12), though could move Hayward to 12, Leiua into 13 (from the wing), and bring back Savea onto the wing. Jane will be replaced a fullback by Andre Taylor.

Up front I'd like to see Anthony Perenise get a start at prop, and I'd love to see Bryn Evans get some game time at lock, though for some reason he hasn't been seen this season. With Lilo out injured, Lam will likely shift from 6 to 7, with Levave coming onto the blindside flank.

The Canes do have the home ground advantage, but they did have to travel back from South Africa. It will certainly be interesting to see how the Reds go facing a New Zealand team, as strangely this will be the first kiwi team they play this year.

 

[offside]

Might aswell kiss this game and the record goodbye.. Reds are on fire and the Canes are soaking wet. Even when Canes star players are present the attack has looked dull. If Weepu comes back for this game it will take time for him to find his feet again so im not expecting a huge game from him or Cruden.

A player who is not used properly is Alapati Leiua.. IMO He has potential to be a game breaker at 13. If Cruden gets put at 12 im gonna punch my eye. Has to be Ngatai or Hayward.
Eaton is past his use by date so why is he still there? Making the same mistakes? I thought Bryn Evans was an up an coming player but we have seen little of the former AB this year..

Id love to see the Canes win this weekend but they really are a lost cause this year.. Hope the same thing dont happen with the Lions!! Their coach is newish to the Head Coach position..

 

[TRF_RC]

I really can't see the 'Canes pulling this one out of the bag. Yeah, they're at home, but the Reds have been far too impressive this season, and i think last week was one of the most impressive wins. Not spectacular, of course, but they didn't play well and still dogged out a win against that one team they always seem to lose against. Tough team this season if you ask me.

 

[nik]

What about Hosea Gear at centre? Has he played there before? I know Rico used to slot in there when required.
Hosea is a mature player these days and I think he could slot in at centre. Leuia seems to be the obvious choice. Injuries are not helping however its good to see some of the younger players taking charge. Reds have lost a few players as well.
I think the Reds should win, this could be their least competitive Kiwi team they play this season. They have a winning streak, however they have to be focused because Hurricanes are desperate for a win. Hurricanes usually start slowly (however they have been horrible this year) and make a charge later in the season.

 

[Sam Owen]

Im going for the Reds on this one.

 

[nickdnz]

I'd be very suprised if the Hurricanes won. No Weepu, Cruden, Nonu, Smith, Jane. Hosea Gear is the only first choice backline player besides Savea (who hasn't been in the 22 for a while). If the Canes are to win this game, their forwards will have to put the game of their lives on. I think the Canes would have a good shot at it if fully fit, but under these circumstances, it's looking pretty grim. I hope Gear and Savea start scoring their tries from no where, as I can't see anything being set up for them.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I'm gonna say Hurricanes, by 12 points.

 

[lance2010]

Might aswell kiss this game and the record goodbye.. Reds are on fire and the Canes are soaking wet. Even when Canes star players are present the attack has looked dull. If Weepu comes back for this game it will take time for him to find his feet again so im not expecting a huge game from him or Cruden.

A player who is not used properly is Alapati Leiua.. IMO He has potential to be a game breaker at 13. If Cruden gets put at 12 im gonna punch my eye. Has to be Ngatai or Hayward.
Eaton is past his use by date so why is he still there? Making the same mistakes? I thought Bryn Evans was an up an coming player but we have seen little of the former AB this year..

Id love to see the Canes win this weekend but they really are a lost cause this year.. Hope the same thing dont happen with the Lions!! Their coach is newish to the Head Coach position..

The Canes backline looks pretty tragic now lol....Don't get me wrong im a Canes supporter all the way.Canes backline Weepu,Cruden,Ngatai,Hayward,Gear,Leiua,Taylor...
I wouldn't mind seeing Savea play at center he won't get picked on trying to catch the high ball.Savea just needs more game time.The Canes aren't going to make the playoffs so why not mix it up abit...

 

[lance2010]

I'd be very suprised if the Hurricanes won. No Weepu, Cruden, Nonu, Smith, Jane. Hosea Gear is the only first choice backline player besides Savea (who hasn't been in the 22 for a while). If the Canes are to win this game, their forwards will have to put the game of their lives on. I think the Canes would have a good shot at it if fully fit, but under these circumstances, it's looking pretty grim. I hope Gear and Savea start scoring their tries from no where, as I can't see anything being set up for them.

Oh what no Weepu arggghhhhh

Great Keats and Eaton again lol

 

[Getofmeland]

I think this one will go to the Reds

 

[Darwin]

Hurricanes: 1. John Schwalger ,2. Andrew Hore (c) ,3. Neemia Tialata ,4. Jason Eaton ,5. James Broadhurst ,6. Faifili Levave ,7. Jack Lam ,8. Victor Vito ,9. Chris Eaton ,10. Aaron Cruden ,11. Hosea Gear ,12. Charlie Ngatai ,13. Jayden Hayward ,14. Alapati Leiua,15. Andre Taylor
Reserves :16. Dane Coles ,17. Anthony Perenise,18. Jeremy Thrush ,19. Mark Reddish ,20. Tyson Keats,21. Julian Savea ,22. Beauden Barrett

So far I've only seen a 23-man Reds squad named:

Reds squad: Albert Anae, Saia Faingaa, Liam Gill, James Hanson, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, James Horwill (c), Van Humphries, Beau Robinson, Radike Samo, Guy Shepherdson, Rob Simmons, Adam Wallace-Harrison.
Will Chambers, Quade Cooper, Anthony Faingaa, Will Genia, Mike Harris, Ian Prior, Ben Lucas, Luke Morahan, Dom Shipperley, Kimami Sitauti.

A few changes for the Canes. In the forwards Eaton replaces Thrush at lock, and Levave comes in for the injured Lilo, with Jack Lam switching from 6 to 7. Chris Eaton replaces Keats at halfback, with Weepu given another week before he is set to return. Aaron Cruden also returns at first-five for Dan Kirkpatrick (who drops out of the 22 altogether), with Charlie Ngatai and Andre Taylor replacing the injured Ma'a Nonu and Cory Jane respectively.

The loss of Daley, Slipper, Ioane and Davies will be big for the Reds, as they have all been in great form this season. I'd imagine the experienced combo of Guy Shepherson and Greg Holmes will start as the props. It will be good to see Kimami Sitauti get a go on the wing, as he looks to be an incredibly elusive player.

I'm expecting it to actually be a reasonably close game. The Reds will deservedly start as favourites, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Canes pull off the upset.

 

[FlukeArtist]

Only shame is this is the game that should have clashed with the Royal Wedding (for all those with a Mrs, and one TV), and NOT the Blues-Highlanders!

 

[Shaggy]

Only shame is this is the game that should have clashed with the Royal Wedding (for all those with a Mrs, and one TV), and NOT the Blues-Highlanders!

... not a Monarchist the Fluke ... you could be substituting one form of pain (the Wedding), for another (a Blues loss)

... I think I've got to go with the Reds as well ... mind you, if Victor Vito and co can run at Quade Cooper all match, who knows

 

[dan the man]

Canes by 7+ :sarcastic:

 

[Shaggy]

Reds team named courtesy of the Sydney Morning Herald

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/reds-roll-out-six-new-faces-20110429-1dztk.html

Reds: Ben Lucas, Luke Morahan, Will Chambers, Mike Harris, Dom Shipperley, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Scott Higginbotham, Beau Robinson, Adam Wallace-Harrison, James Horwill (captain), Van Humphries, Guy Shepherdson, James Hanson, Greg Holmes. Reserves: Saia Faingaa, Albert Anae, Rob Simmons, Radike Samo, Liam Gill, Anthony Faingaa, Kimami Sitauti.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...x-new-faces-20110429-1dztk.html#ixzz1KsMuDnpX

 

[osmond]

Hurricanes to get thrashed. Reds by 40+.

 

[TRF_RC]

Canes by 7+ :sarcastic:

Don't laugh, dude they're looking bloody good right now!
Where has this team been all season? It seems they needed to lose the big names from the squad for things to come together!
Cruden is having a great game tonight tho! He's running the game, showing his pace and running some great angles as well. After a really strong start by the Reds I'm surprised the boys got back into it, but the Canes are really showing character.
Entertaining, if not, extremely surprising first half.

 

[TRF_RC]

Quade Cooper just placed a perfect cross-field kick right into the arms of his winger for an amazing try!