Chiefs vs Canes game

Did anyone watch this game? It was fantastic, so much skill, speed and guts. Unfortunately the Chiefs came up short in terms of the scoreboard but in terms of Beeno "logic"we won

Here's an article:

Hurricanes beat the Chiefs to go top in the NZ Super Rugby

HAMISH BIDWELL

Three tries from the Hurricanes' deadly backline is enough to secure a 25-13 win for the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes would have enjoyed that.

Clashes between them and the Chiefs are always willing. This was no exception. But it was the Hurricanes who emerged victorious, 25-13 at Westpac Stadium on Friday night, to go top in the New Zealand Super Rugby conference.

Grit is not the first thing you associate with Hurricanes rugby. But they produced plenty here, in what was an absorbing - if stop-start - sort of a match.

Hurricanes wing Ben Lam didn't take long to score his ninth try of the Super Rugby season.

Hurricanes wing Ben Lam didn't take long to score his ninth try of the Super Rugby season.

It really wasn't the most fluent game you ever saw. The actual bursts of play were fine; it's just that they were so sporadic.

Damian McKenzie was deemed fit to start at first five-eighth for the Chiefs.

Errors were part of that, along with a lengthy first-half delay to get Chiefs prop Aidan Ross treated for a serious-looking ankle injury.

The Chiefs were strong in the set pieces and committed in defence. What X-factor there, was in the opening 40 minutes tended to come from Hurricanes wing Ben Lam.

He scored what's becoming a trademark long-range try, galloping in from 40 metres to score the game's first points. Any number of Chiefs had a shot at him but either weren't quick enough or strong enough to get Lam on the deck.

Ben Lam left a few Chiefs grasping at thin air.

Jordie Barrett did the goalkicking for the Hurricanes, as they went to halftime 10-6 up. It might've been 17-3, after he ran 80 metres to score behind the Chiefs' posts. But prop Jeff To'omaga-Allen was ruled offside in the lead-up.

Damian McKenzie, who'd passed a pre-match fitness test, kicked his second penalty and 10-6 it was.

The Chiefs had shown plenty of substance, with the Hurricanes the more brilliant of the two. Par for the course, in other words.

The absence of lock Sam Lousi hadn't helped the Hurricanes. He cried off with a shoulder injury and their scrum and lineout suffered as a result. Abrasive flanker Sam Henwood had been fit enough to started the game, but succumbed to concussion in just the third minute.

The Hurricanes aren't noted for their grunt, so those absences were going to be difficult to absorb.

But they made the perfect start to the second spell, when Beauden Barrett scored from a turnover forced by Lam. Chiefs wing Sean Wainui lost the ball in a Lam tackle, Barrett picked up, grubbered when he saw Brodie Retallick loom in cover defence, then won the race to the bouncing ball.

Jordie Barrett converted from touch and it was 17-6. Albeit not for long.

Ngani Laumape was over next for the Hurricanes, following a brilliant sequence of attack that culminated in the second five eighth going over from a Beauden Barrett crosskick. This time the sideline conversion hit the post.

The Hurricanes had opportunities to extend things and couldn't. Instead it was Chiefs flanker Lachlan Boshier who scored next, after a period of sustained pressure in the Hurricanes' 22.

McKenzie converted from wide out and we had a 22-13 ballgame, with 20 minutes to play.

You have to commend both teams for what they put into the last quarter. Despite an absence of points, it was often thrilling stuff, from which the Hurricanes were ultimately able to walk away winners.

Hurricanes 25 (Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, Ngani Laumape tries; Jordie Barrett 2 con, 2 pen) Chiefs 13 (Lachlan Boshier try; Damian McKenzie 2 pen, con). HT: 10-6.

 - Stuff

Just finished watching it. McKenzie doesnt seem to have that long pass off his left.

Wes goosen looked good in his short time.

Im excited for Shields arrival at Wasps after Super season.

Evans the no.8 was giod aswell.

...JW , always great entertainment watching the Chiefs blitzkreig attack...unlucky but Canes were always favourites...had the Canes on the backfoot for most of the game but just could'nt finish them off but awesome game nonetheless..

... Ross is the fourth prop we've lost as well so stocks are getting pretty thin in that dept..

Great game. Fair play to the Chiefs. I was on the edge of my seat everytime Alimolo got the ball lol. What a dangerous player. Lam was of course excellent, what a try he scored. Chiefs are def the side that can match Canes on attack. I Think Cane said it best at fulltime. Canes were just more clinical. And Canes scramble def really put us in two minds on attack.