Saturday Super Rugby action kicks off with what should be a repeat of the showing we saw yesterday morning between the Highlanders and Chiefs. Both teams have players that can change the game in one movement.
The Hurricanes are my personal surprise package for 2013. Their team looks really settled, they have minor changes to their team in the form of Ben Franks coming into the front row. It is the backline though that should do the most damage, in Perenara and Barrett they have a young halfback pairing that should shine, while the likes of Conrad Smith, Julian Savea and Andre Taylor are sure to keep the tries coming.
The Blues have a new coach and a few new players, but in my mind, this is a rebuilding phase for them, and although they have a strong pack, the lack of experience in the backline, and lack of a really good flyhalf, will let the team down.
My money is on the Hurricane to win this morning, and surprise a few this season.
Hurricanes: 15. Andre Taylor, 14. Alapati Leiua, 13. Conrad Smith (c), 12. Tim Bateman, 11. Julian Savea, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Brad Shields, 7. Karl Lowe, 6. Victor Vito, 5. Jason Eaton, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 3. Ben May, 2. Dane Coles, 1. Ben Franks
Replacements : 16. Ash Dixon,17. Reggie Goodes,18. Mark Reddish,19. Faifili Levave,20. Chris Smylie,21. James Marshall,22. Reynold Lee-Lo
Blues: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Francis Saili, 11 George Moala, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Ali Williams (captain), 4 Culum Retallick, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tom McCartney.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Angus Ta’avao, 18 Liaki Moli, 19 Brendon O’Connor, 20 Bryn Hall, 21 Baden Kerr, 22 Jackson Willison.
Tweet
Hurricanes by 3.
Having no real form to work on sucks.
@SteelShark (Comment 1) : Have a feeling that my margin is way to small
Penalty Blues
Canes 0 – 3 Blues
4mins
Canes penalty!
3 each
8mins
Both sides’ handling letting them down a bit.
Weepu misses with a penalty atempt.
Still 3 all
13mins
@SteelShark (Comment 5) : More so on the Blues’ side
JC van Rensburg has signed for Bayonne.
Canes penalty!
Canes 6 – 3 Blues
19mins
Blues try in the corner!!
Canes 6 – 8 Blues
21mins
Blues boxkick wins them exactly -2meters
Canes in the corner!!!!!!
Canes 13 – 8 Blues
27mins
Another game without a lot of kicking. Only a few defensive kicks.
A bit of running thus way and a bit of running that way with the Hurricanes enjoying most of the possession and territory.
Penalty Blues!
HALFTIME
HURRICANES 13 – 11 BLUES
Sorry, wont be able to do 2nd half updates. Later folks!
This is the 10 000th post on SW
@SteelShark (Comment 19) :
Congratulations!!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 20) : congrats to you, boss… it was your article
quite an unexpected result this, I must say
@robdylan (Comment 21) :
I read it as being his 10 000th comment!
Well done all!! Woohoo!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 23) : Hey Richard, are you Keo’s new information gatherer?
@Salmonoid (Comment 24) :
If you want to call it that, yes..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 25) : I dont mean it in a bad way at all. Hell somebody has to give the facts to the outside world.
Congrats, I hope you enjoy doing it.
@Salmonoid (Comment 26) :
Thank you!
It is a fantastic opportunity and I look forward to learn as much as I can..