Hurricanes 'special' pack and game-changing bench praised after win
Hurricanes captain Brad Shields has credited the 'game changing' bench for lifting the side to a 36-23 win over the Chiefs to remain undefeated on the season.
The Hurricanes start fast building a 17-7 lead but after lapse during a 10 minute period after the half, the home side found themselves down by 23-17.
The reserves featured plenty of firepower including two loose forwards, Du'Plessis Kirifi and Devan Flanders, who helped overcome the deficit.
Having such a powerful bench was a luxury that few teams in Super Rugby can say they have, one that Shields believes gives the Hurricanes a distinct advantage.
"It's not often you can roll a bench on that changes the game like that," Shields told Sky Sport NZ.
"I think each week now our impact players that come on are taking the game to another level.
"There was a couple of real key moments in the game that I'm really pleased about.
"We've been thinking pretty hard about this game, it was a pretty big target for our next block. We are stoked to come away with a good win.
"I'm pretty happy with the way we defended down there at times, and our bench came on and changed the game for us."
The Hurricanes forwards were typically dominant with hooker Asafo Aumua causing destruction out on the fringes, No 8 Braydon Iose and openside Peter Lakai carrying hard in the middle.
Iose crashed over for a try off the back the scrum, while he laid the platform for the first try for Perenara with a similar carry. Aumua had a try denied in the first half but scored another late in the second half.
The scrum dominance once again took a toll, with the Chiefs unable to stabilise their set-peice as Xavier Numia, Aumua and Tyrel Lomax put the squeeze on.
Veteran halfback TJ Perenara called this current Hurricanes pack 'special' and said their confidence is riding high with the best set-piece in the competition.
"Our forwards are special. They way they lay a platform for us, and our confidence to go to different set pieces around the field," he said.
"We'll go 'do you want this one?' and they'll go 'yeah bro, give it to us' so we take a lot of confidence as backs, as 9s and 10s, having a forward pack that wants big moments, and wants to put an opposition team under pressure, we thrive off that."
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Always proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
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