Five talking points: Round Nine
Monday, April 24, 2017 allblacks.com Getty Images
DEMANDING ROADTRIP
The Chiefs finished an arduous three-match tour to South Africa and Australia with a hard-fought 16-7 win over the Western Force in Perth. After losing to the Stormers 34-26 in the first match of the tour, the Chiefs rebounded to beat the Cheetahs in their second clash after being 24-0 down at one stage. The Chiefs had to dig deep to outlast the Force in an arm-wrestle-type clash to complete a 2-1 record on their road trip. The Chiefs will now be looking to more fluency when they play the Sunwolves at home this Saturday.
QUICK TAP: INVESTEC SUPER RUGBY ROUND NINE WRAP
SECOND HALF SURGE
The Hurricanes laid on one of the great second-half performance to thump the Brumbies 56-21 in Napier. Trailing 21-14 at halftime, the Hurricanes scored 42 unanswered points in the second half to secure a bonus point win against the top-placed team in the Australian conference. While TJ Perenara provided a spark coming on from the bench, Beauden Barrett was again in imperious form as the Hurricanes played at a tempo the Brumbies couldn’t match. Jordie Barrett was also in fine kicking form in slotting seven conversions from seven attempts.
LIONS FIND A WAY TO WIN
The mark of a quality team is one that can find a way to win even when it looks like they have been outplayed. That was the story for the Lions this weekend when they edged the Jaguares 24-21 in Johannesburg. It looked for long periods like the Jaguares had the game in control, but the Lions hung tough on defence and finished strong to claim the victory. The win took the Lions to 32 points on the ladder and in second place behind the Crusaders.
The Chiefs finished an arduous three-match tour to South Africa and Australia with a hard-fought 16-7 win over the Western Force in Perth. After losing to the Stormers 34-26 in the first match of the tour, the Chiefs rebounded to beat the Cheetahs in their second clash after being 24-0 down at one stage. The Chiefs had to dig deep to outlast the Force in an arm-wrestle-type clash to complete a 2-1 record on their road trip. The Chiefs will now be looking to more fluency when they play the Sunwolves at home this Saturday.
QUICK TAP: INVESTEC SUPER RUGBY ROUND NINE WRAP
SECOND HALF SURGE
The Hurricanes laid on one of the great second-half performance to thump the Brumbies 56-21 in Napier. Trailing 21-14 at halftime, the Hurricanes scored 42 unanswered points in the second half to secure a bonus point win against the top-placed team in the Australian conference. While TJ Perenara provided a spark coming on from the bench, Beauden Barrett was again in imperious form as the Hurricanes played at a tempo the Brumbies couldn’t match. Jordie Barrett was also in fine kicking form in slotting seven conversions from seven attempts.
LIONS FIND A WAY TO WIN
The mark of a quality team is one that can find a way to win even when it looks like they have been outplayed. That was the story for the Lions this weekend when they edged the Jaguares 24-21 in Johannesburg. It looked for long periods like the Jaguares had the game in control, but the Lions hung tough on defence and finished strong to claim the victory. The win took the Lions to 32 points on the ladder and in second place behind the Crusaders.
FUMI’S 50th
Despite playing for the opposition, former Highlanders halfback Fumiaki Tanaka received plenty of adulation from the Invercargill crowd when playing for the Sunwolves on the weekend. His duel with Aaron Smith was hard fought and the crowd rose to acknowledge his 50th Super Rugby cap. The Highlanders looked set to rout the Sunwolves until a couple of late tries made the final score a respectable 40-15. The Sunwolves now finish their first New Zealand road-trip with a clash against the Chiefs while the Highlanders host the Stormers on Friday night.
Despite playing for the opposition, former Highlanders halfback Fumiaki Tanaka received plenty of adulation from the Invercargill crowd when playing for the Sunwolves on the weekend. His duel with Aaron Smith was hard fought and the crowd rose to acknowledge his 50th Super Rugby cap. The Highlanders looked set to rout the Sunwolves until a couple of late tries made the final score a respectable 40-15. The Sunwolves now finish their first New Zealand road-trip with a clash against the Chiefs while the Highlanders host the Stormers on Friday night.
RT if you ?? Fumi.#HIGvSUN pic.twitter.com/zqm3azAbob— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) April 22, 2017
HAT-TRICK x 2
One of the highlights of the Crusaders record 57-24 win over the Stormers was a first half hat-trick to wing George Bridge. The 22-year old speedster crossed for tries in the third, 28th and 32nd minutes to show that he is a genuine finisher. The other hat-trick came in Napier where Vince Aso touched down three times to take his season tally to 10. After starting the season on the wing, Aso has shown he is just as dangerous in the midfield with his powerhouse display against the Brumbies.
One of the highlights of the Crusaders record 57-24 win over the Stormers was a first half hat-trick to wing George Bridge. The 22-year old speedster crossed for tries in the third, 28th and 32nd minutes to show that he is a genuine finisher. The other hat-trick came in Napier where Vince Aso touched down three times to take his season tally to 10. After starting the season on the wing, Aso has shown he is just as dangerous in the midfield with his powerhouse display against the Brumbies.
Who are you picking to win in Round 10? Get your tickets to experience the action LIVE! https://t.co/LdJdt7KNtG #SuperRugby pic.twitter.com/iHfDyaTqZ1— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) April 23, 2017
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