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Waratahs in firing line with Hurricanes eager to respond to Brumbies loss

Brayden Iose of the Hurricanes. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The Hurricanes’ losing streak against the Brumbies continued in round 10 of Super Rugby Pacific, ending the Wellington team’s unbeaten run in 2024.

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The Hurricanes had established themselves as the team to beat this season with their dominant form seeing them to convincing victories over fellow title contenders the Blues and Chiefs, but the Brumbies were out with a point to prove after a record loss to the Blues the week prior.

It was a historic run that came to an end in Canberra, and while the Hurricanes still boast the top spot on the Super Rugby table, the team emphasised the importance of feeling the disappointment of the loss.

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    Sam Whitelock on the hurt of the 2023 RWC final

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    Hurricanes captain Brad Shields said there was a feeling of flatness in the locker room following the result.

    “A few times in that game, we could have changed the momentum and how the game could have gone,” Shields said. “We didn’t capitalise in certain areas of the field, or we coughed up the pill too easily.

    “It’s important that the boys are disappointed. They don’t like losing, but you’ve got to use that as motivation and drive to get things better.

    “We have to make sure that we don’t think we turn into a poor team overnight, because we’ve done some really good things and still won snippets of that game, but we couldn’t quite string it together multiple times, and that’s what we’ve been good at all season.”

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    The Brumbies broke through 42 Hurricanes tackles, including five of tackle machine Du’Plessis Kirifi, no mean feat in itself. Behind Kirifi, who also had a game-high 23 tackles made, winger Salesi Rayasi, hooker Raymond Tuputupu and centre Peter Umaga-Jensen each fell off four defensive attempts.

    Hurricanes coach Clack Laidlaw said the Brumbies’ fast start was a huge factor in the game, also admitting his side weren’t able to reverse that momentum in a meaningful enough way.

    Laidlaw added that he felt this game had a playoffs level of energy to it and the loss would serve the team well in the long run.
    “I’m excited about what we can learn from this and what we take into the Waratahs game next week.”
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    S
    Soliloquin 18 minutes ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

    His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

    But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

    And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


    I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

    For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

    But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


    As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

    Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


    And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

    So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

    France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

    233 Go to comments
    S
    Soliloquin 35 minutes ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

    But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

    He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

    Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

    He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

    He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


    I really hope that:

    -Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

    -Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

    -Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

    233 Go to comments
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