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Go the 'Canes

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Kiwithrottlejockey
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« on: May 05, 2009, 11:57:00 am »


Go the 'Canes                         
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Kiwithrottlejockey
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« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2009, 11:57:51 am »


Hurricanes shred Blues

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - www.Stuff.co.nz | 21:47 hrs - Friday, 01 May 2009

FIVE POINT LANDING: Tamati Ellison crosses for the Hurricanes third try of the first half against the Blues in Wellington. — Photosport.

FIVE POINT LANDING: Tamati Ellison crosses for
the Hurricanes third try of the first half against
the Blues in Wellington. — Photosport.


The hot Hurricanes can smell the Super 14 playoffs now after they shredded the ragged Blues in another high-scoring thriller in the capital on Friday night.

The pulsating New Zealand derby threw up 10 tries with the Hurricanes starting and finished strongly to emerge deserved 45-27 winners.

In what promises to be another turbulent weekend of results, one thing is sure. By the time week 12 action wraps up on Sunday morning the Hurricanes will still be sitting top of the table.

The Blues' semifinal hopes are all but done and dusted. They collected another solitary bonus point but they are vulnerable to being overtaken from all corners now.

In contrast the Hurricanes control their own destiny — two more bonus point wins against the Chiefs and Reds and they will qualify top for the playoffs.

It's as simple as that. And that does sound somewhat simple on their current form.

After blitzing the Brumbies with eight tries last week, they came up with another six  to record just their fourth win against the Blues. And what an important one.

Hurricanes vs Blues matches have a history of being entertaining affairs and this was end-to-end from the word go.

The Hurricanes had their bonus point after just 21 minutes as their forwards dominated the collisions and their backs took advantage.

They are in the middle of a purple patch that the Chiefs found themselves in not so long ago.

Everything they touch turns to gold. But a bit like the Chiefs then, they have also been guilty of conceding points.

All Blacks great Sean Fitzpatrick lamented the style and state of Super 14 rugby when the Chiefs pummeled the Blues and he must be really wondering about his old franchise now that they have been carved up by the Hurricanes as well.

Based on this evidence, he does have as point. As breathtaking as the attack was at the Cake Tin, the defence was dreadful at times, particularly during a frantic first half.

The Blues again displayed the worst tackling record in the championship. That more than anything has cost them this season for their attack remains potent with All Blacks stars Isaia Toeava and Joe Rokocoko in hot form.

The Canes, meanwhile, charge on with their confidence levels overflowing.

Colin Cooper's team now travel to Hamilton to play a Chiefs side who will be hopping off the plane from South Africa.

The Blues now trek across the Tasman to tackle the Brumbies in Canberra and then host the Crusaders. Whether anything hangs on the final match is doubtful given both their current form and medical bulletin that now includes another ankle-Achilles injury to Ali Williams who was forced off after just 18 minutes of this match in Wellington.

The Blues didn't lack endeavour and dominated plenty of the statistics. But they were hit hard in the turnovers area and the Hurricanes loose forwards, as expected against their injury-hit opposites, had a field day at times with Scott Waldrom in outstanding form.

Blues openside Tom Chamberlain must have wondered what he had struck, coming from club football into a game of this pace.

The Blues experiment at the back did work though with Rudi Wulf looking dangerous on attack from fullback and right wing Rene Ranger showing plenty of involvement in a week where he has gained attention for all the wrong reasons.

He looked like he was out to repay his team mates for his off-field indiscretion that has resulted in court action.

But it counted for little in the end. The Hurricanes upped their defence when it mattered in the second half to see out a crucial victory.

Not that there was much celebrating.

"We were actually disappointed today. There wasn't enough structure," said perfectionist skipper Rodney So'oialo, obviously realising the sort of precision that will be required if they are to be title contenders.

The Blues knew the game had slipped away from them early and not even a brave comeback could stop a record Hurricanes score against them.

"We were disappointed with the points we gave away in the first half. It was just too much to catch up. But the team kept at it and I'm very proud of the effort," said Blues skipper Keven Mealamu.

"We got our bonus point at the very end and that shows that we are never giving up."

The Blues made an instant raid into Hurricanes territory from the opening kickoff and earned a penalty through a Ma'a Nonu offside. Jimmy Gopperth goaled from in front.

The Canes' reply was emphatic, sweeping back on to attack as the Blues muffed the restart. They went wide off a lineout win and Conrad Smith sliced the visitors apart with an angled run to the line.

David Smith made a great break down the touchline soon after, carving up his old Blues side and feeding to Waldrom for the try.

The home side struck again from a Blues turnover with fullback Tamati Ellison showing his class with a kick and chase to recollect the ball and jog to the line.

TRY: Tamati Ellision dives across for one of his two first half tries for the Hurricanes against the Blues. — Photosport.

TRY: Tamati Ellision dives across for one of his two first half tries for the Hurricanes against the Blues. — Photosport.

Back came the Blues as they pounced on a Canes' mistake with Wulf capitalising and setting up Rokocoko for the try.

The scoreboard couldn't keep up as the Canes struck from the kickoff with Nonu charghing through them up for the bonus point.

Ellison slipped through some more sloppy Blues defence for his brace.

Then Blues centre Anthony Tuitavake shrugged off would-be tackles from David Smith and Nonu to score in the corner and cut the Hurricanes' lead to 35-13 at halftime.

The Blues took less than two minutes to open the second half with a try as the tempo continued.

Toeava split the Canes apart and fed a good pass to the flying Ranger for the try which Gopperth finally managed to convert.

The Canes soaked up everything the Blues threw at them over the next 20 minutes and then got some relief when Nonu took matters into his own hands and charged straight through the Blues and into the post to score.

They slowed things down with a penalty goal from the trusty boot of Willie Ripia to put matters beyond doubt.

There was time for replacement loosie Dean Budd to snatch a bonus point with the last act of the match but that was too little too late for the Blues.

Importantly for the Hurricanes they appeared to emerge injury-free as they assume the responsibility of leading New Zealand's charge into the playoffs.


—————————————————————————

Hurricanes, 45: Conrad Smith, Scott Waldrom, Tamati Ellison 2, Ma’a Nonu 2 tries; Willie Ripia 6 conversions, 1 penalty.

Blues, 27: Joe Rokocoko, Anthony Tuitavake, Rene Ranger, Dean Budd tries; Jimmy Gopperth 2 conversions, 1 penalty.

Half-Time: 35-13.


http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/2379290/Hurricanes-shred-Blues
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Crusader
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« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2009, 03:18:34 pm »

I hate to admit it but the 'Canes look like they have the goods this year. The match this weekend against the Chiefs is going to be an outstanding match but I don't think the Chiefs have enough firepower to finish of the 'Canes.
I am secretly hoping that the game is going to be very taxing on both sides, sidelining a number of players on both sides. That should make them easier for the Crusaders to do away with.  Grin
Overall, however the team to really be wary of I think is the Bulls. They should put away the Cheetahs this weekend and next weekend I am picking them to sneak home against the Sharks. I don't think the Sharks will win against the Warratahs this weekend either dropping them out of the top four altogether.
Now we come to the Warratahs. As I said, I think they may just edge out the Sharks and they should comfortably beat the Lions to lift them into the top four. The Crusaders have the Reds and the Blues left. Both teams are heavily laden with injuries to key players and should be there for the Crusaders to tear apart especially with Captain McCaw back in the saddle. That will elevate them also into the top four equal with the Warratahs, however I am picking the Crusaders to give the Reds an aboulute pasting which will snub out the Warratahs on point differential.

So here are my top four placings:

1 Hurricanes
2 Bulls
3 Chiefs
4 Crusaders

Semi's Hurricances vs Crusaders and Bulls vs Chiefs.

Fingers crossed the 'Canes will have Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Scott Waldrum injured and the win to the Crusaders
I pick the Bulls to win that semi against the Chiefs, which would set up the final between the Bulls and the Crusaders at Pretoria.
Here is where it gets really hard to type. The outcome of that match will be a trouncing to the Bulls over the Crusaders.  Cry

There is my two cents worth. The Bulls to win the Super 14.
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Kiwithrottlejockey
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« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2009, 03:52:47 pm »


We got to see a different side of The Bulls a few weeks ago.

Following their match against the Hurricanes at Wellington's Cake Tin on a Friday evening, the entire team headed off on the train to Featherston on the Saturday morning to go wine tasting at Martinborough. All well and good, and they signed heaps of autographs on the train. However, they had a bit too much to drink and the crap hit the fan on the way home when they caused a shitload of trouble on the train with the result that the police met the train at Upper Hutt. Following some heated discussions involving the on-train crew, police and team management, they were allowed to continue their journey to Wellington, but with a police escort in the carriage, and no doubt they got read the riot act by team management once they got back to their hotel. And the news media never got to hear a peep about it!
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Kiwithrottlejockey
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« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2009, 04:18:10 pm »


'Canes: Just how badly do they want it?

By SAM WORTHINGTON in Brisbane - The Dominion Post | Saturday, 16 May 2009

DO THEY WANT IT?: Do the Hurricanes have the raw desire to win a Super rugby title? — MAARTEN HOLL/The Dominion Post.

DO THEY WANT IT?: Do the Hurricanes have the
raw desire to win a Super rugby title?
— MAARTEN HOLL/The Dominion Post.


A blind man can see this Hurricanes team has the required talent, but questions linger over whether it has the raw desire to land its first Super rugby title.

With 11 former or current All Blacks accounting for exactly half of tonight's squad, the Hurricanes should pack too much ammunition for the hapless Reds, despite the triple boost of the returning Berrick Barnes, James Horwill and Mark McLinden. But can they win making a statement with the swagger of potential champions, or the clinical execution perfected by the Crusaders?

A Hurricanes win at Suncorp Stadium would mean a semifinal berth is assured and other results will determine whether they fly to Hamilton, Pretoria, or home to Wellington. After being disturbingly out-enthused and falling back to earth with a thud against the Chiefs last Saturday, Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper has asked his team's leadership group to up the ante.

The Hurricanes travelled a day earlier than planned and there was a tense edge to yesterday's captain's run at a hot University of Queensland.

"We originally weren't going to do that, but we decided to change because of the importance of the game," Cooper said.

"I've asked the leaders to drive more and I've been really happy with the way they've been driving the gameplan, the importance, the preparation. At the end of the day, you're sitting in a coach's box, they're the ones out in the battle."

Cooper is particularly delighted with the continued maturation of Ma'a Nonu, who will again be the Hurricanes' key attacking trump card and will heavily test the defence of under-fire opposite Quade Cooper.

"His form and his leadership, off the field he's doing a lot of work with the younger players," Colin Cooper said.

"He's a voice in how we should be training and he's one of the leaders. I'm really, really pleased that I'm seeing his performance on and off the field grow, it's been quite massive."

The Hurricanes have been at pains this week to point out the Reds' nothing-to-lose mentality and the fact they have knocked over the Sharks and the Blues this season.

Cooper said it was a positive that Reds first-five Barnes, lock Horwill and fullback McLinden were back because it would ward off any possible sense of complacency.

"But we're certainly not worried about them, it's about us and it's about our mental state and our hunger and our desire and our want.

"The other key is being able to ignore the mathematics involved in sorting out seven teams into four and staying focused on the job at hand. It means nothing if we don't win."

Hurricanes lock Jason Eaton said rather than the Chiefs loss taking the wind out of the side's sails, it had reinvigorated the group towards another finals campaign.

"I think it was a timely wake-up call if we can go on from here. It was a lack of attitude we took up to Hamilton last week so it's a good time for us to refocus. Hopefully, you'll see a shift in that and we'll get back to the Hurricanes of the last three or four weeks."

While the Hurricanes are preparing for the Reds to play expansive rugby, Barnes' excellent tactical kicking provides their best chance of keeping the game close.

If niggly loose forwards Scott Waldrom, Rodney So'oialo and, in the second half, Karl Lowe, can force him into rushing his play, the game will be as good as won.

As Eaton sums up, it's about desperation: "It's our last chance really. We've got this game and if we lose then we probably won't get another chance."


—————————————————————————

HOW THEY LINE UP

Where and when: Suncorp Stadium, tonight 9.40pm. TV: Sky Sport 1 TAB: Reds $5.75, Hurricanes $1.11

Reds: Mark McLinden, Brando Va'aulu, Charlie Fetoai, Quade Cooper, Rod Davies, Berrick Barnes, Ben Lucas, Leroy Houston, Poutasi Luafutu/Andrew Shaw, Ezra Taylor, James Horwill, Van Humphries, Laurie Weeks, Sean Hardman, Ben Daley.

Reserves: Saia Faingaa, Greg Holmes, Adam Byrnes, Scott Higginbotham, Richard Kingi, Anthony Faingaa, Anthony Sauer.

Hurricanes: Cory Jane, Tamati Ellison, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, David Smith, Willie Ripia, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo, Scott Waldrom, Victor Vito, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, John Schwalger.

Reserves: Ged Robinson, Jacob Ellison, Bryn Evans, Karl Lowe, Alby Mathewson, Jason Kawau, Zac Guildford.


http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/local-sport/2415759/Canes-Just-how-badly-do-they-want-it
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Lovelee
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« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2009, 06:20:09 pm »

Dont get too hopeful yet TJ.

 Grin
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Laughter is the best medicine, unless you've got a really nasty case of syphilis, in which case penicillin is your best bet.
Kiwithrottlejockey
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« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2009, 03:10:33 am »


Hurricanes book semi spot

NZPA | 11:46PM - Saturday, 16 May 2009

CRUCIAL RUN: Ma'a Nonu makes a break during the Hurricanes' win over the Reds. — Photosport.

CRUCIAL RUN: Ma'a Nonu makes a break during
the Hurricanes' win over the Reds. — Photosport.


The Hurricanes have subdued a brave Queensland Reds 37-28 in Brisbane and will now prepare to cheer on South Africa's Sharks in the hope of securing a home Super 14 rugby semifinal.

The Hurricanes ensured their playoff berth with a five tries to four victory to get within one point of competition leaders the Chiefs, as they faced a nervous wait until the early hours of Sunday morning.

They needed the Sharks to beat the Bulls to book a Wellington playoff next weekend, otherwise a trip to Hamilton to face the Chiefs loomed.

The Hurricanes' win in a festival-style match not only signed off the 13th-placed Reds' forgettable season but also eliminated the Waratahs from the race, meaning no Australian sides in the semifinals.

Still Hurricanes captain Rodney So'oialo was hardly turning cartwheels.

"We made a lot of mistakes and got too many balls turned over and against a team like the Reds, they love to run the ball and it made it hard for us," So'oialo told Fox Sports.

A double to All Blacks midfielder Ma'a Nonu, which took his season's try tally to eight, knocked the early stuffing out of the Reds who never threw in the towel.

It was expected to be a stroll for the Hurricanes, coming off an 8-16 hiccup against the Chiefs but playing a Reds side with 11 injured players who'd conceded 84 points in their previous two matches.

It seemed that way early on as the visitors showed their intent, forcing turnovers and hurling the ball around as they raced in three tries in the opening quarter to lead 17-0.

Nonu got his two tries early, his first in just the sixth minute when he strolled onto a Cory Jane short ball with barely a hand laid on him.

Flanker Victor Vito was a huge presence on attack, clutching the ball in one hand and setting up the Hurricanes' next two tries.

His 40m rampage from inside his own half set up halfback Piri Weepu, then he delivered the final pass for Nonu's second after Jane pierced the Reds' defence from an inside ball.

Jane then scored from a simple overlap and the Hurricanes had the bonus point in the 33rd minute.

But the Reds — who welcomed back key men James Horwill and Berrick Barnes from injury — took the Hurricanes on at their own high octane game, scoring quick tries to Quade Cooper and halfback Ben Lucas to narrow the gap to 24-14 at halftime.

The Hurricanes needed to strike early in the second half and it took them just two minutes before lock Jeremy Thrush strolled over for their fifth try.

The Reds wouldn't go away and showed plenty of spirit as they hammered at the Hurricanes' line, and finally the defence cracked when fullback Mark McLinden dived over for a converted try to restore the gap to 10.

It needed back-to-back Willie Ripia penalties to finally subdue the hosts as coach Colin Cooper emptied his bench in the final quarter.

A 70m intercept to Reds winger Brando Va'aulu with seven minutes left saw some anxious glances on the visitors' bench but the Hurricanes held on against a wave of late attacks.

Hurricanes: 37 (Ma'a Nonu 2, Piri Weepu, Cory Jane, Jeremy Thrush tries; Willie Ripia 2 pen, 3 con).

Reds: 28 (Quade Cooper, Ben Lucas, Mark McLinden, Brando Va'aulu tries; Berrick Barnes 4 con).

Halftime: 24-14.


http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-14/2417598/Hurricanes-book-semi-spot
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Lovelee
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« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2009, 09:47:05 am »

I reckon the chiefs will loose the next game to the canes.
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Laughter is the best medicine, unless you've got a really nasty case of syphilis, in which case penicillin is your best bet.
Kiwithrottlejockey
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« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2009, 03:08:23 pm »


Tried and tested Hurricanes to face Chiefs

By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz | 11:16AM - Wednesday, 20 May 2009

TRIED AND TESTED: Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper has named an unchanged starting XV for the third straight week. — Photosport.

TRIED AND TESTED: Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper
has named an unchanged starting XV for the third
straight week. — Photosport.


Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper has named an unchanged starting XV for the third straight week ahead of Friday night's Super 14 semifinal against the Chiefs in Hamilton.

It's the exact same 22 that took care of business last week against the Queensland Reds, and 21 of the 22 who battled the Chiefs a fortnight ago, also at Waikato Stadium.

That shows there's an immense amount of faith that the Canes have the team to turn around that 8-16 defeat at Waikato Stadium in the penultimate week of round-robin play. As far as they're concerned, it's more about the method, than any need to tweak personnel.

The only doubt had been over a foot injury to flanker Scott Waldrom which forced him to sit out training yesterday.

However, the openside flanker has been cleared to take his place in a team that will very much be motivated by the memories of that disappointing night in Hamilton a fortnight ago.

"We went through a stage where there was competition. We went through a stage of continuing to create that competition," said Cooper of his selection philosophy at this stage of proceedings. "Now it's momentum and I guess you're seeing that in our selections in the last three to four games."

The match will be the 200th first-class game for hooker Andrew Hore.

Friday's semifinal also continues a strong run of semifinal appearances by the Hurricanes in recent years.

This is their fifth semifinal in the last seven seasons, though they have only managed to win one of those playoff matches, back in 2006 when they got past the Waratahs in Wellington before losing the famous fog final to the Crusaders in Christchurch.

On the positive side of the ledger, their previous three semifinal defeats (as well as 2006's final) have come at the hands of the Crusaders - a team for now out of the picture as they confront their own issues in the other semi against the Bulls in Pretoria.

HURRICANES: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Piri Weepu; 8 Rodney So'oialo (capt), 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 John Schwalger.

Reserves: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Bryn Evans, 19 Karl Lowe, 20 Alby Mathewson, 21 Jason Kawau, 22 Zac Guilford.


http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/2426495/Tried-and-tested-Hurricanes-to-face-Chiefs
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Lovelee
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« Reply #9 on: May 21, 2009, 06:00:03 pm »




Robbie Deans doesn't hesitate when quizzed on his Super 14 rugby semifinal tips.

"The Crusaders will win and the Hurricanes will win, and then the Crusaders will win (the final) in Wellington," he told NZPA today.


http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-14/2430815/Deans-tips-Canes-Crusaders-final

What does he know?  Grin
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Laughter is the best medicine, unless you've got a really nasty case of syphilis, in which case penicillin is your best bet.
Ferney
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« Reply #10 on: May 21, 2009, 10:32:21 pm »

   
The Blues are out and I sit here looking at the grandsons Counties Manukau Steelers fan Zone membership form.
 Huh  Cheesy
Go the Canes, and Go the Chiefs and a big one for 'Go the Crusaders'
 
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« Reply #11 on: June 28, 2014, 11:38:39 pm »




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donquixotenz
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STILL TILTING


« Reply #12 on: June 30, 2014, 12:26:20 pm »


http://xtranewscommunity2.smfforfree.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=82
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Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body.

But rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming...

WOW, What a Ride!"

Please note: IMHO and e&oe apply to all my posts.

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