Hurricanes 23 Reds 18
KEY POINTS:
It is still a struggle for the Hurricanes. They can list a victory in the results column although for huge chunks of their first appearance at the CakeTin in this Super 14 series that outcome was uncertain.
That doubt came from their own ineptitude rather than significant inquiry
- except in the opening quarter - from the Reds.
After their frenetic fumbles in defeat last week against the Waratahs, the Hurricanes filled their mistakes chart again last night. But the ability of some like Ma'a Nonu, Andrew Hore and Rodney So'oialo allowed them to escape the determined but limited challenge from the Reds.
If you had suggested it would take the Hurricanes almost 100 minutes to score a try this year, most rugby pundits would have given you directions to the nearest psychiatrist.
However that depressing fact showed how sloppy the series' entertainers have been in the opening stages of this year's Super 14.
There was luck involved when midfielder Tane Tuipulotu broke the Hurricanes try-scoring drought. Jimmy Gopperth's wonky crossfield kick was collected by Hosea Gear and there was some question whether the wing offloaded safely before he was taken across the touchline.
Around that piece of fortune the Hurricanes struggled to impose any pattern on the match. The Reds were far more controlled and organised and had the opening reward when lock Van Humphries brushed away some poor defence to score.
Several Gopperth chip kicks provided some defensive tremors while Nonu broke the line with his power and step only to lose the ball.
The burly u utility appeared to rectify those misdemeanours soon after coach Colin Cooper's halftime call for orderly momentum, when he cruised through a gap for Jerry Collins and Piri Weepu to carry the thrust to the line where the final pass went askew.
But the Hurricanes were exerting impetus around the fringes of rucks and mauls, sucking the defensive energy from the Reds. It was a rare attacking raid and mistake from the Reds though which turned the match. Weepu stole the ball in his 22 and several passes later Nonu was thumping down for a try after the counter-attack delivered some substance.
Hurricanes 23 (T Tuipulotu, M Nonu, tries; J Gopperth 2 con, 3 pen
Reds 18 (V Humphries, J Roe, tries; C Schifcofske con, 2 pen) Halftime: 13-10 (Reds)
HURRICANES 23
REDS 18