Well it was a great night for every other reason except the result, it was warm, a great crowd ... nearly a full house at the Stadium ... lots of action. Sitting in a T-shirt watching night Rugby ... you had to question whether you were really in Wellington ... and then with the result you realised ... YES this is Wellington and our beloved Hurricanes !!!
BUT here is the match report
Crusaders bury Hurricanes 20-13
By JIM KAYES - The Dominion Post Friday, 28 March 2008
As omens go, getting turned over at the first ruck is not a great way to start, and when the Crusaders crossed for a try less than two minutes later, things were already looking bleak. By halftime they were ahead 17-3, Jimmy Gopperth had missed two reasonably straight forward penalties, the Hurricanes had barely fired a shot on attack, and were staring at defeat number 12 at the hands of the Crusaders.
It was a sell-out at Westpac Stadium tonight, though only 31,571 rather than the fullhouse of 34,500 went through the turnstiles. They would have left with mixed emotions. For the Hurricanes fans it was a disappointing night as their team lost 20-13 and slipped to a second Super 14 defeat and the eighth in nine clashes against the Crusaders under coach Colin Cooper.
But rugby folk would have walked away knowing they had witnessed another quality performance from a rugby dynasty. What is it about the Crusaders that allows them to keep winning even when they are not completely on top of their game and in control? If it's a quality that can be bottled and sold, you'd quickly slip past Bill Gates on the rich list.
If the TAB still has a book on who will win the Super 14 it's a short story. There are contenders in the Sharks, Blues, and possibly the Hurricanes, but they will have to play well to beat the Crusaders. Tonight was proof of that. The Hurricanes played okay, at least in the second half, but they still weren't good enough.
It was hooker Corey Flynn who crossed for the early try and with centre Casey Laulala finding space outside Hurricanes second five-eighth Tamati Ellison, the Crusaders could have crossed for a few more tries early on.
Instead they managed only one more in the first half when No8 Mose Tuiali'i put through a kick Daniel Carter would have been proud of. It certainly baffled his opposite, Rodney So'oialo, who missed it completely to the delight of born-again lock Ali Williams, who scored his second try for the six-time champions.
Piri Weepu replaced Gopperth as the penalty kicker and narrowed the gap soon after the break, but Carter had to pack out to 14 points in a jiffy. Hooker Andrew Hore thought he was over in the 54th minute as the Hurricanes lifted their attack, but referee Steve Walsh, who had been playing advantage in their favour, spotted So'oialo holding a Crusaders down to create the gap for Hore. Though the Hurricanes finished with the penalty, the Crusaders defended the lineout, turned the ball over and when the Hurricanes were penalised, the pressure valve was released yet again. They could have scored in 62nd minute when Tane Tu'ipulotu intercepted, but fumbled and dropped the ball with the line beckoning. Hore did get a try when he was driven over after a Jason Eaton lineout take after Tuiali'i was sinbinned for he and his team's constant infringing.
Gopperth, back as kicker because Weepu had been replaced, nailed the conversion to close the gap to 13-20 but then missed a straight forward penalty. As the kick off suggested, it wasn't the 'canes night.
By JIM KAYES - The Dominion Post Friday, 28 March 2008
As omens go, getting turned over at the first ruck is not a great way to start, and when the Crusaders crossed for a try less than two minutes later, things were already looking bleak. By halftime they were ahead 17-3, Jimmy Gopperth had missed two reasonably straight forward penalties, the Hurricanes had barely fired a shot on attack, and were staring at defeat number 12 at the hands of the Crusaders.
It was a sell-out at Westpac Stadium tonight, though only 31,571 rather than the fullhouse of 34,500 went through the turnstiles. They would have left with mixed emotions. For the Hurricanes fans it was a disappointing night as their team lost 20-13 and slipped to a second Super 14 defeat and the eighth in nine clashes against the Crusaders under coach Colin Cooper.
But rugby folk would have walked away knowing they had witnessed another quality performance from a rugby dynasty. What is it about the Crusaders that allows them to keep winning even when they are not completely on top of their game and in control? If it's a quality that can be bottled and sold, you'd quickly slip past Bill Gates on the rich list.
If the TAB still has a book on who will win the Super 14 it's a short story. There are contenders in the Sharks, Blues, and possibly the Hurricanes, but they will have to play well to beat the Crusaders. Tonight was proof of that. The Hurricanes played okay, at least in the second half, but they still weren't good enough.
It was hooker Corey Flynn who crossed for the early try and with centre Casey Laulala finding space outside Hurricanes second five-eighth Tamati Ellison, the Crusaders could have crossed for a few more tries early on.
Instead they managed only one more in the first half when No8 Mose Tuiali'i put through a kick Daniel Carter would have been proud of. It certainly baffled his opposite, Rodney So'oialo, who missed it completely to the delight of born-again lock Ali Williams, who scored his second try for the six-time champions.
Piri Weepu replaced Gopperth as the penalty kicker and narrowed the gap soon after the break, but Carter had to pack out to 14 points in a jiffy. Hooker Andrew Hore thought he was over in the 54th minute as the Hurricanes lifted their attack, but referee Steve Walsh, who had been playing advantage in their favour, spotted So'oialo holding a Crusaders down to create the gap for Hore. Though the Hurricanes finished with the penalty, the Crusaders defended the lineout, turned the ball over and when the Hurricanes were penalised, the pressure valve was released yet again. They could have scored in 62nd minute when Tane Tu'ipulotu intercepted, but fumbled and dropped the ball with the line beckoning. Hore did get a try when he was driven over after a Jason Eaton lineout take after Tuiali'i was sinbinned for he and his team's constant infringing.
Gopperth, back as kicker because Weepu had been replaced, nailed the conversion to close the gap to 13-20 but then missed a straight forward penalty. As the kick off suggested, it wasn't the 'canes night.
1 comment:
We were there!! First rugby match in my life. We were visiting from the USA. Our daughter is studying for a semester at Massey. Beautiful city! Great food!! Truly enjoy your pictures.
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