Canes don't learn from first loss to Chiefs

Here was me thinking the Hurricanes would thrash the Chiefs in Hamilton last Friday and book a spot in rugby's Super 14 final.

How far off the mark was that?

The Hurricanes didn't learn anything from the loss to the same team at the same venue two weeks earlier. Why kick the ball to the world's best fullback and two of the best wings in the competition? It didn't work the first time and it certainly didn't work the second time.

And why ignore the competition's two best midfielders and give them a role of chasing kicks instead of running with the ball?

Hurricanes captain Rodney So'oialo was surprisingly positive when interviewed immediately after the match, saying he thought his team played really well. Maybe they did, but the Chiefs must have played really, really well.

And where did that fog come from? It's haunted the Hurricanes twice - once in Christchurch and now in Hamilton. With the Crusaders away in South Africa, did the powers down south flick off a fog-making machine to the Chiefs?

HEARD a few grumbles about the worth of dropped goals in rugby after Bulls first five-eighth Morne Steyn slotted four in his team's Super 14 rugby semifinal win over the Crusaders on Sunday morning.

Three points for a droppie is too many, make it two. Well, sorry. If the Hurricanes had someone like Steyn, they might have won.

And the All Blacks have won a few games thanks to dropped kicks.

Steyn's performance was outstanding, but the lead-up work by the forwards was equally as good on three occasions when they worked their way into position.

COLD Saturday mornings on the sideline.

There's nothing better than getting out and seeing kids do what they do best - play.

Whether it's netball, soccer, rugby, rugby league, hockey or the myriad other sporting options available for youngsters these days. What matters is they are out there having fun.

It's just a pity the New Plymouth District Council's parking wardens have to patrol the carpark at the Waiwhakaiho netball courts scribbling out infringement notices. Where's the fun in that?

WHILE Hurricanes supporters are still wondering how a finals berth slipped away, spare a thought for the Wellington-based Pulse netball side. Losses are something this side knows all about.

Saturday's trans-Tasman championship game against the Canterbury Tactix was just another in the chapter in the book of missed opportunities.

The Pulse had a golden chance to record their first win, but once again saw it slip away in the final minutes.

Maybe the team's first win in two years is not far away.

THE days of Taranaki club rugby teams having to field a senior B along with a division one team are long gone.

Clubs are struggling for numbers, with Border and Spotswood United not fielding senior B sides this season and now Eltham-Kaponga withdrawing. With the combined side pulling out, it meant two teams - New Plymouth Old Boys and Southern - had byes last Saturday and that wasn't good.

The only good news is that there won't be a bye in the second round with eight teams.

- © Fairfax NZ News