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Shields: Hurricanes ready for two Super Rugby finals
By Alex Fisher
Ahead of their last-four clash with the Crusaders, Brad Shields says the Hurricanes face two finals in their pursuit of a second Super Rugby title.
Having clung on to see off the Chiefs 32-31 in the last eight, the Canes face the top-ranked Crusaders in the semi-finals in Christchurch on Saturday.
Shields knows the defending champions – and record eight-time winners – will be tough to overcome and has called for focus from his side as they look to repeat their 2016 success.
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"The word I've heard is this is going to be our final this week, because we've got to play our best footy otherwise we're not coming back next week," said the flanker.
"Sometimes, in play-offs footy, you've got a couple of opportunities and if you can nail them, maybe that's all it's going to take.
"At the end of the day, if you don't play well and don't do you own things well, you've got no chance."
The Canes beat the Crusaders 29-19 on March 10 but lost the return match 24-13 two weeks later.
At the end of the regular season, the Crusaders finished 12 points clear of their semi-final opponents, and coach Scott Robertson has named a strong side – including a pack made up entirely of All Blacks.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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