WELLINGTON, New Zealand — This Super Rugby season has seen the Hurricanes arrive fashionably late to showcasing their performance prowess. Initially, while other teams were making headlines in the early stages of the competition, it seemed the Hurricanes, based in Wellington, were struggling to find their footing.
Their recent 57-12 triumph over New South Wales Waratahs in Round 7 has transformed their season, pulling them into playoff contention and putting them back in the spotlight.
Having started the season with a 1-3 record, the Hurricanes only showed glimpses of the attacking flair for which they are renowned. Their set pieces remained consistent, but issues with ball security and possession control plagued their early matches.
Despite creating numerous opportunities, they often failed to capitalize on them. In a season where possession is crucial, the Hurricanes had been careless, with solid defense but lacking precision and patience in their attacks.
However, Friday’s game saw everything align perfectly. Despite the Waratahs initially taking the lead, the Hurricanes bounced back and ran in nine impressive tries.
Key to this effort was DuPlessis Kirifi, the Hurricanes captain and open-side flanker, who excelled in winning breakdown turnovers, bolstering his case for All Blacks selection this year. Lock Isaia Walker-Leawere shone brightly, while winger Kini Naholo delivered three finishing tries.
The Hurricanes regained confidence, showcasing it with creative attacks, highlighted by a reverse pass from fullback Ruben Love, which set up a 57th-minute try for winger Ngane Punivai.
The team’s resurgence first became apparent in their narrow 20-18 victory over the Highlanders in Round 5, and by Round 7, their performance had blossomed.
“It was nice rugby, wasn’t it?” remarked coach Clark Laidlaw. “If you watched that Highlanders game, we had to work hard for everything we got, so it’s always pleasing when you get a half chance and you take it.”
The Waratahs suffered blows with Max Jorgenson’s injury and Joey Walton’s yellow card, which also resulted in a penalty try, further tipping the scales in favor of the Hurricanes.
“The game is won and lost around the physical collision and the Hurricanes dominated that area,” said Waratahs coach Dan McKellar. “We turned the ball over too much, both at the breakdown and at the set piece and they got on a roll.”
In another tale of resurgence, Moana Pasifika’s remarkable 45-29 victory over the Crusaders demonstrated a team rising above expectations. Confidence was central to their performance as they aimed to start strong and maintain pressure on the Crusaders, exhibiting an outstanding kicking game led by flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini.
Ardie Savea, transitioning from the Hurricanes to Moana Pasifika, played a pivotal role, scoring two of his team’s tries, while Pellegrini added another touch down to their tally.
This victory was forged on the back of a strong showing in their previous match, a close defeat to the Chiefs, the competition leaders in Round 6.
“We talked about moments and winning each moment,” Savea stated. “I felt like the boys stacked a lot of those moments together tonight.”
Heading into their match, Moana Pasifika embraced an underdog mentality, with Savea emphasizing the importance of playing boldly and with nothing to lose, culminating in their inspired win.