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Hurricanes 17 Chiefs 33
Hurricanes - Flanders & Roigard tries; Barrett 2 conversions & penalty
Chiefs - Rona, Ratima, McKenzie & Sowakula tries; McKenzie 2 conversions & 3 penalties
Fulltime
40th minute - Chiefs are reduced to 13 men, as Ah Kuoi is also yellow-carded, but it's academic, as the Hurricanes lose the ball and the final whistle blows. Great comeback from the Chiefs.
39th minute - Hurricanes recover their kickoff, but their chances are gone. Chiefs win a penalty at the breakdown.
36th minute - TRY to McKenzie
Sowakula charges off the back of the scrum and Chiefs forwards surge to the tryline. When the ball shifts right, McKenzie is pulled down short, but isn't held and scores on his second lunge.
McKenzie misses his conversion, CHI 33-17
35th minute - Hurricanes lose their lineout and Ratima kicks downfield. Chiefs win the ball back and Barrett barely touches down for a five-metres scrum, before McKenzie arrives on the scene.
Barrett complains he was dived on, but that's ruled a tackle, so Chiefs have a five-metre scrum feed.
34th minute - Booth feeds a scrum five mtres out and goes blindside to Morgan. Chiefs are penalised in the tackle and acting captain Retallick is warned.
The tackle is being checked for head-on-head contact and Gatland is shown a yellow card. Barrett kicks to the corner...
33rd minute - Eventually, they come back for the knockon in midfield. Lakai replaces Flanders and Cane is heading off for an HIA - that's not good.
32nd minute - Hurricanes building phases in the 22 and they have a knockon advantage.
31st minute - Coles takes another tap and charges towards the tryline. Hurricanes forwards take turns handling, but the ball goes loose and Hurricanes lose ground to the 22.
30th minute - Cane is penalised for hands in the ruck. Coles takes a tap, the forwards surge towards the posts, but Ratima intercepts a pass... they were playing advantage.
29th minute - Hurricanes win a lineout on the 22 and charge into the red zone. They have penalty advantage.
Booth pops an inside pass to Rayasi, carried on by Coles.
28th minute - Chiefs secure the ball from the kickoff and Ratima kicks downfield. Hurricanes have a penalty on Cane for a high tackle on a falling Godfrey.
26th minute - McKenzie will attempt a penalty kick from just inside Hurricanes half, straight in front... it's over, CHI 28-17
25th minute - From the kickoff, Chiefs win a penalty on halfway for hands in the ruck.
23rd minute - Chiefs enter Hurricanes territory and McKenzie dribbles a kick into touch near the corner flag.
Hurricanes win the lineout, but the ball evades Booth, who has to retreat and force for a five-metre scrum.
TRY to Ratima
From the scrum, Ratima runs straight and carrries a couple of tacklers over with him. McKenzie converts, CHI 25-17
22nd minute - Morgan kicks long to McKenzie, who finds Gatland in midfield, near halfway.
21st minute - Howden and Iose replace Bird and Kirifi in the Hurricanes pack. Gatland is on for Narawa, so Stevenson moves to the wing, and McKenzie to fullback.
20th minute - McKenzie slots the kick from in front and the lead changes, CHI 18-17
19th minute - Vai'i wins the lineout and Chief surge to the 22. Chiefs have penalty advantage... and eventually they come back for that penalty in front of the posts.
McKenzie immediately points to the posts...
18th minute - Chiefs have a penalty in their own half and McKenzie finds touch outside the Hurricanes 22.
17th minute - Ratima replaces Weber at halfback for the Chiefs. He feeds the scrum and looks right.
16th minute - Norris and Finau on for the Chiefs, who win a lineout, but McKenzie's no-look pass is picked off.
15th minute - Weber can't find his support and Coles hacks the ball downfield.
14th minute - McKenzie finds touch inside the Hurricanes 10 for a lineout. Chiefs barely win the lineout, Hurricanes rip it free, but Weber pounces on the ball.
13th minute - Chiefs take the dropout near haflway and surge into Hurricanes territory. Nanai-Seturo proves difficult to stop.
McKenzie has a kick charged down and Hurricanes surge into Chiefs half, but are penalised at the breakdown.
12th minute - McKenzie misses the penalty from left of the uprights. Hurricanes bring on front row changes, including Dane Coles for his 300th first-class game.
11th minute - Chiefs have penalty advantage, but Sowakula charges towards the tryline and Barrett is penalised a few metres out. Cane points to the posts for a kick that would give the Chiefs a lead.
10th minute - Weber feeds a scrum on halfway and goes left, where Nanai-Seturo is taken in a tackle. Ross rumbles up centrefield and Chiefs look for a way into the 22.
Ninth minute - Chiefs claim the kickoff and McKenzie kicks deep. Aumua drops Bird's pass in a tackle and knocks on on halfway.
Seventh minute - TRY to Sowakula
Retallick wins a lineout on the Hurricanes 22. Taukei'aho surges towards the posts and Cane finds Sowakula, who powers the last few metures to score.
McKenzie converts, HUR 17-15
Sixth minute - Savea bursts from the scrum, but his pass to Kirifi bounces off his head and forward. Chiefs take a quick tap from the offside penalty, Stevenson kicks deep and the Chiefs are quickly inside Hurricanes 22.
Fifth minute - Eventually, Chiefs are called for a knockon, so Hurricanes feed in midfield, Chiefs half. Barrett has been stunned in a tackle from Jacobson.
Fourth minute - Chiefs win a lineou on their 22 and McKenzie eventually clears down the centre of the field. Hurricanes break into Chiefs half, where Numia rumbles.
Third minute - Roigard sprints down the short side and looks for Ardie Savea in support, but he loses the ball into touch.
First minute - No changes to either team at halftime. McKenzie kicks off and Barrett kicks long into Chiefs half.
McKenzie fields a kick and tries to break into Hurricanes half, but his pass is deemed forward.
Halftime
40th minute - Savea wins the lineout and Kirifi charges upfield, but the pass is spilt by Rayasi, as the first half comes to an end.
39th minute - Roigard kicks high into Chiefs half and Stevenson rises high to claim the ball. Apparently, there was a long advantage from the previous lineout and Hurricanes have the penalty, which Barrett kicks towards the Chiefs 22.
38th minute - Retallick wins the lineout, but Chiefs are called for obstruction in the lineout.
37th minute - After a long advantage, the Chiefs come back for the penalty near the posts. McKenzie kicks to the corner for an attacking lineout.
36th minute - Chiefs feed the scrum on halfway and kicks to the blindside. It bounces out inside the Hurricanes 22.
Sowakula wins the lineout, Poihipi dashes towards the tryline and Chiefs playing under advantage.
35th minute - Retallicks drives to halfway, Chiefs throwing the ball around, but Julian Savea almost claims a loose pass to race away.
34th minute - Chiefs clear from their scrum, but Narawa spills the ball. Aumua throws long to a lineout and Kirifi claims it in midfield, but Flanders spills the ball and Chiefs look to break out.
33rd minute - Aumua throws to a lineout on the Chiefs 10, but it's not straight.
32nd minute - Jacobson is through on Roigard and is called offside.
31st minute - Stevenson and Narawa combine to the right, Vai'i charges in midfield and Chiefs build phases. McKenzie kicks high, but MOrgan soars to claim it safely.
30th minute - McKenzie kicks off and Moorby claims. Morgan kicks into Chiefs half and Nanai-Seturo brings it back to halfway.
28th minute - McKenzie slots the penalty kick, HUR 10-8
TRY to Roigard
Hurricanes secure the kickoff and surge into the Chiefs 22, with Julian Savea running powerfully. As the fowards take the ball towards the posts, Roigard dashes from the ruck to score.
Barrett converts, HUR 17-8
26th minute - From the dropout, Sowakula and Retallick make metres towards the 22, McKenzie kicks ahead, and Nanai-Seturo and Morgan collided in the pursuit. Penalty to the Chiefs in front of the posts...
25th minute - Chiefs win a lineout inside the 22 and Taukei'aho surges towards the tryline. Retallick is held up over the line.
24th minute - Barrett finds touch on the Chiefs 22, but the Chiefs secure a loose ball. Nanai-Seturo breaks up field, but Barrett is back to cover the threat near his own goal-line.
23rd minute - Hurricanes win a penalty at the ruck, with Barrett sealing off the ball.
22nd minute - Chiefs with ball in hand inside Hurricanes territory.
21st minute - Rayasi claims the kickoff and Morgan kicks to halfway, where McKenzie runs it back into Hurricanes half.
McKenzie's long pass is picked off by Rayasi, but Hurricanes are penalised at the breakdown.
19th minute - Barrett tees up a kick at goal from the penalty... and slots it from in front, about 30 metres out, HUR 10-5
18th minute - Flanders wins a lineout and Umaga-Jensen hits the defensive line in midfield. Barrett kicks to the corner and the Chiefs are offside...
17th minute - Nanai-Seturo kicks deep again, but run back by Morgan. Kicking duel ensues and a Chiefs forward is eventually called offside.
16th minute - Hurricanes outside the Chiefs 22, but Roigard's dipping pass is dropped by Blackwell.
15th minute - Aumua throws long to Kirifi off the back of the lineout and Hurricanes stream into the 22, but Morgan spills a pass. Nanai-Seturo kicks into Hurricanes half.
14th minute - McKenzie kicks off and Rayasi has the catch. Barrett kicks towards halfway, but McKenzie is wrapped up by Flanders and Hurricanes have a penalty for not releasing.
Barrett helps McKenzie find his feet...
12th minute -TRY to Flanders
Hurricanes have the ball on halfway, Aumua breaks upfield and when the ball shifts left from Rayasi, Flanders powers through the last tackle of McKenzie. Barrett converts from near touch, HUR 7-5
11th minute - Morgan kicks off and Vai'i secures the ball. McKenzie kicks deep and Moorby runs it back to halfway.
Eighth minute - TRY to Rona
Hurricanes have a penalty and Barrett kicks to the Chiefs 10, but Chiefs steal the lineout throw. Stevenson breaks upfield, finds Narawa on the right wing and Rona chases his kick ahead to score.
McKenzie's conversion hooks left, CHI 5-0
Seventh minute - Long throw over the lineout claimed by Morgan and Hurricanes reach the 22.
Hurricanes keep ball in hand, but good Chiefs defence rips the ball free and McKenzie kicks long.
Sixth minute - Barrett finds touch outside the Chiefs 22.
Fifth minute - BIrd wins the lineout and Roigard kicks downfield, but Rayasi knocks on, as he chases.
Solid scrum from both teams, but Chiefs shift left and Sowakula charges in centrefield. Hurricanes win a penalty at the breakdown.
Fourth minute - Chiefs with ball in hand again, but Stevenson throws a loose pass that goes into touch.
Third minute - McKenzie makes a half break and Stevenson kicks through, but easily marked by Morgan, who finds touch near halfway.
Second minute - Chiefs feed fhe first scrum of the game and quickly spread the ball into midfield.
Chiefs keep the ball in hand and build phases outside the Hurricanes 22.
First minute - Morgan kicks off for the Hurricanes and Stevenson finds touch in Hurricanes territory.
Bird wins the lineout, but Roigard drops the ball and knocks on.
2:20pm - Clayton McMillan won't be in the Chiefs coaching box today, as he remains at home, recovering from illness.
*****
Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the Super Rugby Pacific top-of-the-table clash between the Hurricanes and Chiefs at Wellington's Sky Stadium.
While ACT Brumbies have leapt atop the competition ladder with their win over Fijian Drua on Friday night, the two NZ sides are only four points, so whoever wins this game will at least draw level with the top Aussies.
The Chiefs also have two games in hand, courtesy of last week's bye.
Originally scheduled for a 7pm kickoff, this fixture has been brought forward to the afternoon, because light at 'The Cake Tin' are not fully operational.
Join us for kickoff at 2:30pm.
TAB Odds: Chiefs $1.72, Hurricanes $2.20, draw $18
Hurricanes: 1-Xavier Numia, 2-Asafo Aumua, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-James Blackwell, 5-Dominic Bird, 6-Devan Flanders, 7-Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8-Ardie Savea, 9-Cameron Roigard, 10-Aidan Morgan, 11-Salesi Rayasi, 12-Jordie Barrett, 13-Peter Umaga-Jensen, 14-Julian Savea, 15-Josh Moorby
Reserves: 16-Dane Coles, 17-Tevita Mafileo, 18-Pasilio Tosi, 19-TK Howden, 20-Brayden Iose, 21-Peter Lakai, 22-Jamie Booth, 23-Harry Godfrey
Chiefs: 1-Aidan Ross, 2-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3-George Dyer, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Tupou Vaa’i, 6-Pita Gus Sowakula, 7-Sam Cane (CC), 8-Luke Jacobson, 9-Brad Weber (CC), 10-Damian McKenzie, 11-Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12-Rameka Poihipi, 13-Daniel Rona, 14-Emoni Narawa, 15-Shaun Stevenson
Reserves: 16-Bradley Slater, 17-Ollie Norris, 18-John Ryan, 19-Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20-Samipeni Finau, 21-Cortez Ratima, 22-Bryn Gatland, 23-Peniasi Malimali
Hurricanes dynamo addresses All Blacks ambitions before match-up with Chiefs
Stephen Foote
Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard has been one of the hottest names in Super Rugby Pacific this season - and rightly so.
The 22-year-old has captilaised on the absence of All Blacks veteran TJ Perenara with a vice-like grip, becoming one of the driving forces behind the capital-based side's ascent to the top of the Super Rugby standings.
His scorching performances behind an impressive 'Canes pack have thrust his name into contention as a potential bolter for the All Blacks World Cup squad.
That prospect probably seemed absurd, when he was called into the Hurricanes squad as an injury replacement in 2021, just a year after he decided to give up a promising stockcar driving career to ensure rugby had his full attention.
Roigard admits he's heard his name swirling in test conversations, an "interesting" noise he's trying to tune out, while he concentrates on simply churning out quality performances, game after game.
"The goal eventually is to become an All Black, but I know it's not going to happen after one or two good games," Roigard admitted. "I think it just comes back to trying to play consistently, week in week out, so that's the main focus.
"It's always been a dream to be an All Black and hopefully one day it does come about."
Last year, the Cambridge product was selected for the All Blacks XV's European jaunt, and left a lasting impression with his combative and clinical brand of play.
He's carried that momentum into Super Rugby this season, when he's thrived on such a relative wealth of minutes as a starter.
Roigard credits the competition within the Hurricanes environment as one of the primary factors behind his improvement, with main rival Perenara at that forefront.
The All Blacks veteran is still working his way back to full fitness, after rupturing his Achilles against England in November, and could have his work cut out reclaiming the No.9 jersey from the young upstart.
The situation has fostered a highly competitive dynamic between the two, one Roigard insists has been mutually beneficial.
"It's definitely brought that competitiveness between us," Roigard said with a grin. "I think we're always challenging ourselves, even now, when he's coming back from his Achilles.
"Whether he's squatting or bench pressing, or something like that, we're always trying to beat each other, which is great.
"Then we have lots of conversations about how we're getting better, talking about the game. He's definitely open to sharing his experience, which is great... having passing sessions with him in our own time."
Coach Jason Holland first spotted Roigard at an U20s tournament, and was immediately impressed by his physicality and well-rounded skillset.
The decision to bring him south and grant him a spot in the squad as replacement for the injured Jamie Booth has paid dividends, although Holland notes Roigard's relentless commitment to improvement deserves all of the credit for his rising stocks.
"In fairness to him, he's worked really hard at his game and he's a special part of our group at the moment," said Holland.
This weekend presents a golden opportunity for Roigard to prove his wares against All Blacks halfback and Chiefs captain Brad Weber, a chance to press his claims on Ian Foster and his fellow selectors in an intriguing top-of-the-table clash at Wellington.
A week ago, he got the better of another All Blacks half in Folau Fakatava, pickpocketing his opposite number for a runaway intercept try in a straightforward win over the Highlanders.
Weber and Roigard are arguably the two form halfbacks in the country right now, so whoever emerges with their hand raised in the capital may take a significant stride to securing a black jersey.
Aaron Smith remains the All Blacks' first choice, but the second and third halfback spots in the World Cup squad seem anyone's for the taking.
"Being able to play in these big games is huge for developing and gaining experience," said Roigard. "These are the games you want to play in as a young fella and going against someone like Brad, who's the All Blacks No.9, will be pretty huge."
Since their loss to the Blues in early March, the Hurricanes have won four straight games to rocket to the top of the standings.
The undefeated Chiefs have been a juggernaut this season and, with a week of rest under their belt, will provide the ultimate litmus test for a team Roigard insists have the quality to bring a second Super Rugby crown to Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
"We've been working hard, developing and growing each week, and I think it's been showing on the field, but we've got a long way to go," he noted. "Now we're coming up to a few big games and it'll be awesome to see how we go against them.
"We're definitely title contenders - for sure."
