Chiefs vs Hurricanes

[laps]

Chiefs have this,

Was just wondering if anyone knows why Robby Robinson (fullback) and Ker-Barlow (halfback) have been completely dropped? Can't seem to find any injury reports... I thought Robinson was very explosive and doing a good job, the same with Ker-Barlow... I know Robinson hasn't been there fore some weeks, but Ker-Barlow was only starting last week...

Can anyone shed some light?

 

[Bardon]

Don't know about Robinson but Ker-Barlow is out because 1st choice Brendon Leonard is back after a hamstring injury.

 

[Bardon]

Half time it's Chiefs 12 Hurricanes 8. Chiefs bossed most of the first half and looked really dangerous with ball in hand especially when SBW has been invovled. Both teams have been very poor kicking out of hand (Canes restarts exempted) the difference being that the Chiefs have run back poor kicks while the Hurricanes have tended to kick it right back poorly. This resulted in the Chiefs getting good possession and field position. Their forwards have done well to provide quick ball and it's lead to the Canes being pinged a number of times at the break down and for offside.

At one point the Chiefs led 12-3 and looked like a try for them was inevitable. But towards the end of the half a very good try by Taylor brought the Hurricanes back into the game. From then they finished the half the stronger. If they can get the first score in the 2nd half they could cause a bit of an upset here.

On Leonard he's been pretty poor especially just as the Canes were coming back into the game. Maybe the Chiefs should have stuck with Ker-Barlow starting for another week.

 

[Nusadan]

Sona does it again!

 

[Bardon]

Yes his 7 from a prop at this stage of the season is very impressive. Can't see the Hurricanes getting back into this. Really since the Chiefs went over for their 1st try at the start of the half there only looked like being 1 winner. Hurricanes are beginning to threaten now but it needs to be sustained or the best they can hope for is a losing bonus.

 

[FrankLind]

Wow. Chiefs finishing strongly. Back to the top of the table.

 

[Bardon]

Hurricanes have looked very poor in this game and I've been surprised by the number of handling errors from both teams at this stage of the season. Chiefs closed the game out well and they're good value for their top spot in S15. Their pack and work at the breakdown was very impressive.

But there's just something about them in the games I've seen them in this year that reminds me of Munster in this year HEC. Munster went unbeaten in the HEC pool and dug out some important wins in the red numbers. However I always felt they would need to step up their performances in the knock out stages as a fired up team would beat them in a one off. I feel the same about the Chiefs there are weaknesses and chances for a good team to exploit in the knock out stages.

As for the Hurricanes one shinning light was the performance for young Taylor at FB who did really well scoring his try and showed some promise in the remainder of the game. I felt they gave it their all in the first half and really put it up to the Chiefs but the early try in the 2nd half seemed to knock the wind out of them and they were just going through the motions for the rest of the game.