Harlesburg
19-05-2006, 11:54
Hurricanes Too Strong For Tahs
Hurricanes are into their first final with another display of huge character earning them a 16-14 win over the Waratahs in their Rebel Sport Super 14 playoff in Wellington on Friday night.
The Hurricanes dominated long spells of this action-packed semifinal but twice had to come from behind to claim a famous victory.
Now they wait to see who they face in the final with the Crusaders and the Bulls clashing in the other semi in Christchurch on Saturday night.
If the Hurricanes can produce as much heart again as they have over the past six days to twice beat the Waratahs they will certain have a chance of snaring their first title.
They didn't produce total accuracy but they did enough to win in a slightly easier manner than last week's massive defensive effort in Sydney.
This time it was the Waratahs who were forced on to the back foot for long periods at the Cake Tin.
The Hurricanes wrapped up the match in commanding fashion when their dominant forwards pack hung on to the ball for the last three minutes to frustrate the Waratahs who limped away still searching for their first win in Wellington.
Despite the low scoreline this was an open game and every Hurricanes player enjoyed moments of good individual endeavour.
In the end it was a huge team effort that got them home.
David Holwell and Paul Tito came back from injury to provide strong performances until they were replaced for the final quarters.
And Jason Eaton, under an injury cloud all week, put in his usual 110% game. Front rowers Andrew Hore and Neemia Tialata weren't far behind.
The fearsome Hurricanes back row managed to earn a big advantage at the breakdowns with a dominant second half effort.
The Canes backs mixed their attack well with clever kicking options and some strong running from Ma'a Nonu, Tana Umaga, Isaia Toeava and Lome Fa'atau.
But they met some resolute Waratahs defence and there was only a try apiece with Jimmy Gopperth's late monster penalty finally giving the Hurricanes the win.
Early Blows
The Hurricanes dealt out a couple of early psychological blows when they won the kick-off and held possession for the opening two minutes, giving virtually everyone a touch of the ball.
Piri Weepu then stepped up to land a 50m penalty and the Hurrincaes had made their point. They weren't here to take any nonsence.
Holwell added a penelaty from closer range as the Hurricanes snuck out to a six-nil lead.
Finally the Waratahs settled to get their hands on the ball and made an immediate impact. Mat Rogers, switched to fullback in the rearranged backline, slipped into first receiver a couple of times and fed a sweet ball to Lote Tuqiri who broke free and Peter Hewat scored the opening try in the corner.
Hewat missed the conversion but goaled a penalty and the visitors had the lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Hurricanes flexed their muscles when they uprooted the Tahs scrum. From the resulting turnover scrum they worked a slick backline move with Fa'atau chiming in off his wing to surge past a confused Morgan Turinui and score.
Holwell converted and the Hurricanes held a 13-8 lead through to the break, almost extending it when Shannon Paku had a dive at a kicked ball into the Tahs ingoal ruled out by the video ref.
The halftime stats were reasonably equal but the general feel was that the Hurricanes were the more threatening side.
They then came out and completely dominated the first 23 minutes of the second half but got absolutely no reward.
Instead the Waratahs earned a close range penalty from Hewat with their first foray into the Hurricanes 22.
The tide looked to have turned with the Waratahs disrupting a Hurricanes lineout to charge back on to attack. Another penalty gave them the lead again at 14-13 with 12 minutes to play.
But the forwards shored up the Hurricanes effort. Their scrum muscled up again and the Tahs were penalised for a collapse. This time Gopperth landed the 50m effort and the home side was back in front.
Then the Hurricanes forwards took total control. They got field position and never relented closing out the match in impressive fashion.
Once again this was a blue collar win that has characterised the Hurricanes effort this year. There were flashes of brilliance as you would expect from such a talented side but it was the endeavour around the fringes - both on attack and defence - that got them through this one.
So the Hurricanes swirl off to the final while the Waratahs ponder another late season collapse.
They have lost their last three matches to exit the tournament after being at No 1 with the finish line in sight.
Hurricanes 16: Lome Fa'atau try; David Holwell con, 2 pen; Jimmy Gopperth pen.
Waratahs 14: Peter Hewat try, 3 pen.
HT: 13-8
http://xtramsn.co.nz/rugby/0,,12428-5795660,00.html
Yep the canes have done it, finally after 11 years they have made a 'Super 12/14' final.
Whats more they are the first team to win earn a place in the Super 14 final and no one can take that away from them!
Go BULLS!
Hurricanes are into their first final with another display of huge character earning them a 16-14 win over the Waratahs in their Rebel Sport Super 14 playoff in Wellington on Friday night.
The Hurricanes dominated long spells of this action-packed semifinal but twice had to come from behind to claim a famous victory.
Now they wait to see who they face in the final with the Crusaders and the Bulls clashing in the other semi in Christchurch on Saturday night.
If the Hurricanes can produce as much heart again as they have over the past six days to twice beat the Waratahs they will certain have a chance of snaring their first title.
They didn't produce total accuracy but they did enough to win in a slightly easier manner than last week's massive defensive effort in Sydney.
This time it was the Waratahs who were forced on to the back foot for long periods at the Cake Tin.
The Hurricanes wrapped up the match in commanding fashion when their dominant forwards pack hung on to the ball for the last three minutes to frustrate the Waratahs who limped away still searching for their first win in Wellington.
Despite the low scoreline this was an open game and every Hurricanes player enjoyed moments of good individual endeavour.
In the end it was a huge team effort that got them home.
David Holwell and Paul Tito came back from injury to provide strong performances until they were replaced for the final quarters.
And Jason Eaton, under an injury cloud all week, put in his usual 110% game. Front rowers Andrew Hore and Neemia Tialata weren't far behind.
The fearsome Hurricanes back row managed to earn a big advantage at the breakdowns with a dominant second half effort.
The Canes backs mixed their attack well with clever kicking options and some strong running from Ma'a Nonu, Tana Umaga, Isaia Toeava and Lome Fa'atau.
But they met some resolute Waratahs defence and there was only a try apiece with Jimmy Gopperth's late monster penalty finally giving the Hurricanes the win.
Early Blows
The Hurricanes dealt out a couple of early psychological blows when they won the kick-off and held possession for the opening two minutes, giving virtually everyone a touch of the ball.
Piri Weepu then stepped up to land a 50m penalty and the Hurrincaes had made their point. They weren't here to take any nonsence.
Holwell added a penelaty from closer range as the Hurricanes snuck out to a six-nil lead.
Finally the Waratahs settled to get their hands on the ball and made an immediate impact. Mat Rogers, switched to fullback in the rearranged backline, slipped into first receiver a couple of times and fed a sweet ball to Lote Tuqiri who broke free and Peter Hewat scored the opening try in the corner.
Hewat missed the conversion but goaled a penalty and the visitors had the lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Hurricanes flexed their muscles when they uprooted the Tahs scrum. From the resulting turnover scrum they worked a slick backline move with Fa'atau chiming in off his wing to surge past a confused Morgan Turinui and score.
Holwell converted and the Hurricanes held a 13-8 lead through to the break, almost extending it when Shannon Paku had a dive at a kicked ball into the Tahs ingoal ruled out by the video ref.
The halftime stats were reasonably equal but the general feel was that the Hurricanes were the more threatening side.
They then came out and completely dominated the first 23 minutes of the second half but got absolutely no reward.
Instead the Waratahs earned a close range penalty from Hewat with their first foray into the Hurricanes 22.
The tide looked to have turned with the Waratahs disrupting a Hurricanes lineout to charge back on to attack. Another penalty gave them the lead again at 14-13 with 12 minutes to play.
But the forwards shored up the Hurricanes effort. Their scrum muscled up again and the Tahs were penalised for a collapse. This time Gopperth landed the 50m effort and the home side was back in front.
Then the Hurricanes forwards took total control. They got field position and never relented closing out the match in impressive fashion.
Once again this was a blue collar win that has characterised the Hurricanes effort this year. There were flashes of brilliance as you would expect from such a talented side but it was the endeavour around the fringes - both on attack and defence - that got them through this one.
So the Hurricanes swirl off to the final while the Waratahs ponder another late season collapse.
They have lost their last three matches to exit the tournament after being at No 1 with the finish line in sight.
Hurricanes 16: Lome Fa'atau try; David Holwell con, 2 pen; Jimmy Gopperth pen.
Waratahs 14: Peter Hewat try, 3 pen.
HT: 13-8
http://xtramsn.co.nz/rugby/0,,12428-5795660,00.html
Yep the canes have done it, finally after 11 years they have made a 'Super 12/14' final.
Whats more they are the first team to win earn a place in the Super 14 final and no one can take that away from them!
Go BULLS!