Following the Hurricanes’ 57-21 win over the Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals, here’s how we rated the victors.
Hurricanes player ratings v Blues
15 Callum Harkin: Safe in the backfield, a menace under the high ball and a threat in possession. The Hurricanes got what they needed from the full-back who enjoyed a strong outing despite conceding possession a handful of times. 7
14 Josh Moorby: Three try involvements include two five-pointers for himself; it was a stunning showing from the winger. He racked up 100 metres with ball in hand – a match high – and was solid defensively. One of the ‘Canes backs who really made a difference today and wreaked havoc for the Blues‘ defence. 8
13 Billy Proctor: Some great defensive reads to shut down threatening Blues’ attacks while his breakdown work was excellent too, playing his part in a turnover leading to Naholo’s try. Combined well with Barrett even if his role and impact was less flashy. 7
12 Jordie Barrett (cc): An excellent performance from the All Blacks star who got the scoreboard ticking in the second minute with one of the easiest finishes of his career. Still, he slotted in at first receiver to great effect, landed several hefty hits on defence, leading to turnovers. Put in a superb cross kick for Aumua’s try while being a handful carrying to the line or dictating play, making Love’s job all the more easier. It’s the kind of performance we’ve come to expect from Barrett, but it doesn’t mean it’s any less impressive as he was pivotal to the win. 8
11 Fehi Fineanganofo: A welcome return on the wing and whilst he didn’t get on the scoresheet, the Hurricanes coaching team will be pleased he got through the encounter injury-free. He did well in the air during his stint, while his counter-ruck after a seemingly wasteful Love kick, reaped reward for Roigard. 6
10 Ruben Love: A few uncharacteristic soft errors in the second half but none that were detrimental to the ‘Canes cause. It wasn’t a blockbuster performance from Love but instead, a controlled one where he shifted the ball wide when needed and allowed the outside backs and centres to shine. His willingness to step out of the spotlight meant that Barrett and Proctor could dominate. 6
9 Cam Roigard: A smart performance from the scrum-half who set up the opening try with quick thinking to tackle the penalty quickly after Beauden Barrett took him out in the air. His break and good decision-making from there saw Jordie Barrett cross for the first five minutes. He got on the scoresheet himself after smartly leaving Lakai to act as the scrum-half. He kicked well out of hand too, with one box kick setting off a chain of events that saw the ‘Canes score a second early in the second stanza. 9
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8 Peter Lakai: Arguably the standout performer in an excellent loose trio. Lakai and Kirifi combined to torment the Blues’ breakdown. He competed the lineout brilliantly too and enjoyed an all-round superb outing. His hands close to the line were on point, but he carried with real vigour, made good decisions on the whole, one resulting in a try assist for his number nine. Laid down a marker for All Blacks selection, but next week will be more important for him. 8
7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (cc): The Hurricanes got standout performances from their co-captains with Kirifi grabbing a try, assisted another and was brutally effective at the breakdown. While he was effective in the carries, it was his passing so close to the advantage line that really troubled the Blues’ defence. Played his part in a dominant loose trio performance. 8
6 Brad Shields: Officially the Hurricanes’ third-most capped player, Shields put the kind of shift the Wellington faithful have become accustomed to: sheer graft. The blindside flanker made his tackles, hit rucks and didn’t make mistakes before departing on the hour mark. 6
5 Warner Dearns: He set the tone in the lineouts in the sixth minute with a great contest despite the fact that he knocked it on. He kept the pressure there all match, making it tough for the Blues to launch from the set-piece. Won a penalty that led to Kirifi’s try and was busy in other facets of the game too. 7
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4 Caleb Delany: He conceded an early penalty for a side entry at the breakdown, which was the only stand-out blight on his performance. He was solid otherwise but didn’t return after the break. 5
3 Pasilio Tosi: Referee Ben O’Keeffe opted to reset several scrums where there was no clear fault. That meant that many of the opening scrums were even, but Tosi and Numia did eke out a penalty before the break. The in-form tighthead has good at the breakdown too and hit double digits on defence, making 11 tackles. Did his job and did it rather well. 7
2 Asafo Aumua: A real handful in the midfield as hulking hooker powered through tackles, regularly taking the extra yard and a few Blues’ bodies with him. Sensationally took his try while there was little fuss around his lineout throws. The rampaging All Blacks hooker was excellent today. Took home the man of the match award and rightly so; what a shift. 9
1 Xavier Numia: Brutally shrugged Sam Darry off as he cantered away to score. Less busy than his fellow prop around the park but still did his job well. 7
Replacements: Clark Laidlaw timed his replacements perfectly as the entire bench was impactful and ensured that the Hurricanes ruthlessly capitalised on the momentum that they gained. Isaia Walker-Leawere enjoyed a strong second half, Ereatara Enari picked up from where Roigard left off while Jone Rova and Kini Naholo had standout moments, the latter assisting and scoring a try. The bench is becoming increasingly important in the modern game, and the Hurricanes proved that again as they blew the Blues away. 9