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Watch: Hurricanes lock tears through Chiefs defence to score opening try in under a minute
By Sam Smith
The Hurricanes have opened their account against the Chiefs in swift fashion by bursting through the opposition defence to score inside the opening minute of the match.
Hot on attack inside the Chiefs' half after just a few dozen seconds, the visitors swung the ball wide from left to right after wing Salesi Rayasi made some hard-earned metres down FMG Stadium Waikato's left-hand flank.
Halfback Luke Campbell hit a forward pod before then spreading the ball out wide further into the hands of teenage rookie Ruben Love.
The 19-year-old first-five then shovelled the ball onto the supporting Tyrel Lomax, who took the ball to the line and popped a deft, flat short ball to lock James Blackwell.
The tighthead prop's pass put the second rower into acres of space as the Chiefs defenders didn't see it coming, allowing Blackwell to canter into the hosts' 22.
Chiefs trio Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber and Bryn Gatland all backtracked quickly in an attempt to stop Blackwell in his tracks, but Gatland was used as a turnstile as the lock stepped off his right foot to leave the playmaker in his wake.
Both Weber and McKenzie tried their hardest to drag Blackwell to the ground, but, with that much momentum behind the 1.90m, 107kg lock, there was no stopping him as he slid along the slippery Hamilton turf.
With just under a minute on the clock, that try put the Hurricanes into an early 5-0 lead, but the two sides headed into the sheds locked up at 10-all.
The Hurricanes went into this match without any chances of qualifying for the Super Rugby Aotearoa final, while the Chiefs could seal their place in the May 8 finale with a bonus point win and if the Blues lose to the Crusaders on Sunday.
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Latest Comments
What’s the bet that if Ireland lose we’ll have a bunch of people blaming Rob Kearney for it?
This might pizz the All Blacks off but it won’t make George Bell throw the ball any straighter or Rieko pass the ball to his wings more often.
Go to commentsNot if you look at where the increases are happening for NZR. Apparently the biggest increase in participation was in the junior ranks and has been attributed to the extra cash that tier has received from the private equity deal NZR signed. Clubs are reducing fees dramatically and thats bringing more into the clubs. Counties club had a 200% increase in enrollments for U7s as they made it free.
Yes NRL is always hanging around schoolboy rugby tho. I see the NRL as more of a threat at SR level where the fringe players are signing for either NRL or Japan etc.
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