Super Rugby Result : Force 13 v 42 Hurricanes
Force 13 v 42 Hurricanes
Canes cruise to top spot
The Hurricanes recorded their third successive win in 2015 when they beat the Force 42-13 in Perth on Friday.
The result sees the Hurricanes moving to the top of the Super Rugby Standings . They are now in a commanding position, having scored two wins on their recent tour to South Africa, and another away win in Perth.
The performance against the Force was a convincing one. The Hurricanes were dangerous from broken play, but also enjoyed some success when they carried the ball through the phases.
Beauden Barrett controlled play beautifully from the first five position, and converted five of his six attempts on goal. The forwards played their part in the victory, and the backs made their chances count. Cory Jane finished to score the first try of the game, while Julian Savea scored the visitors’ fourth.
The Force were uncharacteristically poor on defence. They did not dominate the collisions, and missed one on one tackles. Savea bumped off two such attempts in the lead-up to his try.
The hosts will also lament their poor tactics and decision making. While they tried to play expansively, they only played into the hands of the Hurricanes. They also turned down several shots on goal, preferring to set the lineout drive. They were denied on each occasion by a well organised Hurricanes defence.
The Force scored a late try through replacement Mitchell Scott. But this was hardly a consolation, as they handed the Hurricanes another opportunity at the death. After controlling the ball through the phases, the visitors scored through fullback James Marshall.
Western Force – 13
Tries : Mitchell Scott (77)
Penalties: Luke Burton(40) , Zack Holmes (2)
Cons : Luke Burton (78)
Hurricanes – 42
Tries : James Marshall (80) , Julian Savea (63) , Victor Vito (60) , Cory Jane (11) , Mark Abbott (25)
Penalties: Beauden Barrett (54,44,36)
Cons : James Marshall (80 , 64) Beauden Barrett (61 , 26)
The teams:
Western Force: 15 Luke Burton 14 Luke Morahan 13 Kyle Godwin 12 Solomoni Jnr Rasolea 11 Marcel Brache 10 Zack Holmes 9 Alby Mathewson 8 Ben McCalman 7 Brynard Stander 6 Angus Cottrell 5 Steve Mafi 4 Sam Wykes (c) 3 Tetera Faulkner 2 Nathan Charles 1 Pekahou Cowan
Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann 17 Chris Heiberg 18 Oliver Hoskins 19 Rory Walton 20 Kane Koteka 21 Ian Prior 22 Sias Ebersohn 23 Mitchell Scott tbc
Hurricanes: 15. James Marshall 14. Cory Jane 13. Reynold Lee-Lo 12. Ma’a Nonu 11. Julian Savea 10. Beauden Barrett 9. Chris Smylie 8. Victor Vito 7. Ardie Savea 6. Brad Shields 5. James Broadhurst, 4. Mark Abbott 3. Ben Franks 2. Dane Coles (C) 1. Reg Goodes
Replacements: 16. Brayden Mitchell 17. Jeff Allen 18. Chris Eves 19. Callum Gibbins 20. Adam Hill 21. TJ Perenara 22. Matt Proctor 23. Nehe Milner-Skudder
Date: Friday, February 27
Venue: nib Stadium, Perth
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Graham Cooper (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)