By Roger Childs
A tough venue for New Zealand teams
None of the Kiwi franchises find it easy to win in Canberra, the Australian capital. The Wellington-based team went into last Saturday’s game with some players out with injury, but fortunately centres Billy Proctor and Riley Higgins were back and Ruben Love was again at first five.
The Hurricanes were coming off a draw in Perth against the Force – a game they probably should have won as they scored three tries to two and Love’s last minute drop kick hit the post. From the start in Canberra there was the determination to score what the Australian commentators called an “upset”.
The ‘Canes scored five tries to four against the Brumbies and were unlucky not to score again in the last five minutes. They won 35-29.
Taking on the table leaders
The Chiefs are their opponents at the Wellington Stadium on Saturday night. Last year the Hurricanes were top of the table when the played the Chiefs in the semi-finals. They might have won, but an intercept by the changed the game. Wallace Sititi, the visitors’ number eight. ran 80 metres before being pulled down short of the line. The Chiefs subsequently scored and there was clear shift in momentum.
It was they who won the semi-final and went on to play the Blues in the final. The Auckland franchise thumped them to win the 2024 Super Rugby Championships. But we are now a year on and the table is very different.
Today, Saturday the ‘Canes are playing the top team who are 15 points ahead of them on the table. They are the underdogs, but playing at home front of their fans and having won unexpectedly last week in Canberra, has to give them confidence
They also have three forwards returning in the run-on team and they will provide a boost to their chances. All Blacks Tyrol Lomax and Asafo Aumua will strengthen the front row and lock Isaia Walker-Leawere is a welcome addition to the pack. Meanwhile the Chiefs have lost All Back centre Anton Lienert-Brown who has a dislocated shoulder and first five playmaker Damian Mckenzie is recovering from a hand injury.
It will be a very interesting match as the Chief will want to cement their place at the top of the table and the Hurricanes will be keen to topple the competition leaders.