Hurricanes player ratings v Blues | Super Rugby Pacific

The Hurricanes have been beaten for the first time this season, after going down in a thrilling contest against New Zealand rivals the Blues 19-25 at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.

It was an arm-wrestle of a contest, which always appeared destined to come right down to the wire.

Trailing by six-points, and with time up on the clock, the hosts unleashed one final attack on the Blues’ try-line – only to come up short.

Former Hurricanes hero Beauden Barrett, who now plays flyhalf for the Blues, kicked the ball out at the end – bringing an end to an all-time classic Hurricanes vs Blues contest.

Here’s how the Hurricanes rated.

15. Josh Moorby – 7/10

The fullback had another strong outing in the coveted yellow jersey on Saturday night, which included yet another try at Super Rugby level. Moorby scored in the 50^th minute for the Canes – although the try wasn’t without controversy. It appeared as if he’d lost the ball, but the TMO stood by the on-field decision of try.

Around the ground the rising star also got stuck in, having carried the ball seven times for a hard-earned 26 metres.

14. Julian Savea – 6.5

There glimpses of greatness from Julian Savea, but it was largely a quiet performance from the former All Blacks winger. Savea had some strong carries early on in the match, but the game got away from him in some ways.

13. Billy Proctor – 8

They didn’t win, but Billy Proctor was still an unsung hero for the Hurricanes. In a team full of superstars, the work rate and execution from the star centre sometimes goes unnoticed – but not tonight.

Proctor led the way for the Hurricanes backs with 15 tackles to his name, and also carried the ball 10 times. Clearly, he was hungry to get involved and make an impact.

12. Jordie Barrett – 7.5

In review, Jordie Barrett was potentially in between a 7.5 and an 8 rating this week. While it was probably his quietest performance of the season so far, Barrett still played a key part in the Canes’ resurgence and fight.

Barrett is a proven playmaker at Super Rugby level, and he played that role to a high standard once again at Sky Stadium. But more so, and what could impress All Blacks selectors, was his fearlessness approach to running the crash ball whenever called upon.

11. Salesi Rayasi – 8

For the second week in a row, winger Salesi Rayasi was certainly in the conversion for player of the match honours. After a quiet period in the first half, Rayasi really hit his stride in the first 20 minute of the second half.

Rayasi crossed for his second try in as many weeks in the 47^th minute, which got the Hurricanes back into the contest. Other than that, the winger looked lethal every time he touched the ball. Rayasi finished with 73 running metres to his name from 11 carries.

10. Brett Cameron – 7

Debutant Brett Cameron looked cool, calm and collected throughout his first Super Rugby appearance for the Hurricanes. The one-Test All Black missed the opening two rounds due to injury, but didn’t look out of place as returned in time for this New Zealand blockbuster.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The flyhalf was caught in two minds on the defensive side of the ball during the first half, which allowed Caleb Clarke to run rampant down the left edge en route to a five-pointer.

9. Cam Roigard – 7

Playing alongside Brett Cameron for the first time in a competitive Super Rugby fixture, the pair showed some promising signs for the future. Roigard has well and truly made the No. 9 jersey his own at the Canes, while TJ Perenara continues to recover from his Achilles injury.

Roigard is quick, is an accurate passer, and can send the ball into the heavens with his eye-catching kicking game. While he was quiet for periods of the match on Saturday, Roigard still managed to do what was asked of him.

1. Xavier Numia – 7

Props don’t play 65 minutes very often, which just shows how important Xavier Numia was for the Canes tonight. Numia was solid at the set-piece for the Canes – although, the game didn’t have too many scrums. Instead, he was made to work around the field.

Numia finished with 100 per cent tackle accuracy from his eight attempts, and also ran the ball six times – having beaten three defenders.

2. Dane Coles – 6.5

The Hurricanes skipper put in a solid shift during his 40 minutes out in the middle. Coles, who was given the captaincy in Ardie Savea’s absence, held his own throughout an otherwise tough first half for the Hurricanes.

Coles played a pivotal role in Tyrel Lomax’s try late in the first-half. The Super Rugby veteran held the ball up, drew in defenders, and got an offload off – laying the foundations for an important score. Other than that, the All Black made his mark on the defensive side of the ball with eight tackles and was accurate at the set-piece.

3. Tyrel Lomax – 7.5

Much like his teammate Xavier Numia, prop Tyrel Lomax put in a tough shift at Sky Stadium. The All Black was replaced in the 72^nd minute, having well and truly earned a rest. On the defensive side of the ball, Lomax made a staggering 13 tackles.

Lomax crossed for the Hurricanes’ first try in the 26^th minute. The 26-year-old showed some fast feet and class, having spun his way to the try-line for the crucial score.

4. James Blackwell – 7

James Blackwell, much like Forest Gump, just keeps running. Whenever you watch the Hurricanes play, the lock is always in the thick of the action – and tonight, that fact was no different. The second-rower was the go-to player at the lineout, and also made an incredible 15 tackles.

5. Isaia Walker-Leawere – 5.5

Isaia Walker-Leawere had a mixed performance on Saturday night. While the Hurricanes lock was able to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball with 12 tackles, his performance was probably defined by his poor discipline.

Walker-Leawere was yellow carded during the first-half, and was arguably lucky not to receive a second after the break. The 25-year-old was penalised for a spear tackle, but avoided any further action due to mitigating circumstances.

6. Devan Flanders – 6.5

Flanker Devan Flanders piled plenty of pressure on the Blues’ throw at the lineout, and was also one of the primary options for Dane Coles on the Hurricanes’ throw. But around the park, Flanders was a bit quiet. While he popped up here and there, he just didn’t seem to have the impact that he maybe would’ve wanted.

7. Du’Plessis Kirifi – 7.5

Starting in the No. 7 jersey again this week, flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi was among the standouts for the Hurricanes. The flanker – as he often does – just didn’t stop running; working tirelessly in the pursuit of victory.

Kirifi was especially impressive on the defensive side of the ball, and also around the breakdown. The flanker made 15 tackles without missing any – the best tackle percentage out of any Canes player in double digits.

8. Peter Lakai – 7.5

With no Ardie Savea this week, rising star Peter Lakai had an opportunity to shine at No. 8 for the Hurricanes. The rampaging backrower showed glimpses of his generational gifts, including some brilliant work on defence – making 18 tackles and missing just one.

On the other side of the ball, the loose forward carried the ball the most times out of any player on either team (13). Lakai was made to work hard for every one of his 68 metres.

Replacements:

16. Asafo Aumua – 7.5
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones – 6
18. Pasilio Tosi - 6
19. Caleb Delany – 6.5
20. TK Howden – 6.5
21. Jamie Booth - 6
22. Aidan Morgan – 5.5
23. Riley Higgins – 5.5,