The Hurricanes are still cruising along towards their semi-final play off place and today they play the seventh place team who are the last team who can realistically also reach the play offs.
The way these two teams play should provide an interesting match. The Chiefs start well and the Hurricanes seem to come alive in the second half.
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Steve Walsh (NZL)
Head-to-Head: Played 10, Chiefs 5, Hurricanes 5, Drawn 0
In Wellington: Played 5, Hurricanes 2, Chiefs 3, Drawn 0
Last season: Round 6 ‘ April 1 2005 ‘ Hurricanes 28 d Chiefs 16 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Almost Live match summary
Referee -Steve Walsh
Conditions – Intermittent rain – not pleasant
Time: 0.00
3.00
The Chiefs get the first points of the game as Stephen Donald slots a penalty
Hurricanes 0 Chiefs 3
4.00
Immediately after the restart the Hurricanes are awarded a penalty and David Holwell strikes it but it hits the post.
7.00
After some good pressure by the Hurricanes they are awarded a penalty and David Holwell levels the scores
Hurricanes 3 Chiefs 3
16.00
Collins puts in a great tactical kick and sets up the lineout
17.00
The Forwards drive over and it’s Andrew Hore who gets the try
Holwells conversion is good
Hurricanes 10 Chiefs 3
23.00
Hurricanes on the attack again but the pass goes forward to Umaga as he is 15m from the line.
28.00
Paul Tito is down and looks in trouble
Still 10-3
34.00
Holwell gets another penalty to extend the Hurricanes lead.
Hurricanes 13 Chiefs 3
38.00
Weepu has a great break but there is no one with him. Eventually the ball goes forward.
39.00
Chiefs give away a penalty for not releasing and Holwell will go for goal
He gets it.
Hurricanes 16 Chiefs 3
40.00
Its half time
Hurricanes 16 Chiefs 3
Second half is underway
45.00
Handling mistakes are costing the Hurricanes as Fa’atau knocks on
49.00
The Chiefs get a lineout 10 m from the Hurricanes line
Chiefs drive to the line but it goes to ground and Walsh (ref) awards a penalty 5 m back
In the end it amounts to nothing
55.00
The Chiefs have the ball and drive over the tryline – the ball cant be seen so we go upstairs>
The tv ref says its inconclusive but it just simply looked short
58.00
After 10 minutes of the forwards bashing away at the line finally Sam Tuitupou blasts through a Holwell tackle for the try
Donald converts
Hurricanes 16 Chiefs 10
Could we have a game on our hands now ?
64.00
The Hurricanes charge back into the game and after much phase play Andrew Hore comes up with the ball over the tryline (his second tonight)
Holwell converts
Hurricanes 23 Chiefs 10
65.00
Holwell comes off and Gopperth comes on
68.00
Gee. Andrew Hore has the ball and dots it down on the line for his hattrick. This came again from big forward Hurricanes pressure
Gopperth snuffs the conversion
Hurricanes 28 Chiefs 10
The Hurricanes must be sensing the bonus point now
Ellison comes on for Nonu
71.00
Hore comes off
78.00
The two teams forwards are battling it out but it seems the result is already decided.
80.06
The Hooter blows as the Hurricanes attack and kick through. Shannon Paku dives on the ball for the bonus point try
Gopperth converts
Hurricanes 35 Chiefs 10
The whistle goes and the final score is
Hurricanes 35 Chiefs 10
Scorers
Hurricanes
Tries
Andrew Hore 3
Shannon Paku
Conversions
Holwell 2
Gopperth
Penalties
Holwell 3
Drop goals
–
Chiefs
Tries
Sam Tuitupou
Conversions
Donald
Penalties
Donald
Drop goals
–
Teams
Hurricanes:
15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Lome Fa’atau, 13 Ma’a Nonu, 12 Tana Umaga, 11 Shannon Paku, 10 David Holwell, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So’oialo (c), 7 Chris Masoe, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Paul Tito, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Joe McDonnell.
Reserves: 16 Luke Mahoney, 17 John Schwalger, 18 Luke Andrews, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Brendan Haami, 21 Jimmy Gopperth, 22 Tamati Ellison.
Chiefs:
15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Antony Tahana, 13 Mils Muliaina, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Byron Kelleher, 8 Steven Bates, 7 Marty Holah (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Sean Hohneck, 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tom Willis, 1 Simms Davison.
Reserves: 16 Aleki Lutui, 17 Nathan White, 18 Kristian Ormsby, 19 Nili Latu, 20 Jamie Nutbrown, 21 David Hill, 22 Mark Ranby.