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Just weeks short of his 20th birthday, Ruben Love will start at first-five for the Hurricanes against the Crusaders.
In a pre-season interview, Hurricanes coach Jason Holland didn’t hesitate when asked to label his player to watch from the 38-man squad. Now, seven weeks into Super Rugby Aotearoa, all eyes will be on 19-year-old Ruben Love in his first start in the No 10 jersey opposite All Blacks pivot Richie Mo’unga at Sky Stadium on Sunday (3.35pm). After three unconvincing weeks from utility Orbyn Leger, following Jackson Garden-Bachop’s season-ending injury, Holland was jolted into action with the gifted Manawatu product to face the Crusaders.
“It s been an honest week, that s the first thing. To get better you need to be honest,” Robertson said. “We looked at ourselves, our preparation, some individual performances, and also our coaches’ preparation for it. We ll be better for that.”
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The Crusaders took a good, hard look at themselves this week after a record defeat to the Highlanders last Friday in Christchurch. Last week s stinker was the reality check the Crusaders pride themselves on not needing to light a fuse under them. They’re accustomed to teams wanting nothing more than to bury them, and teams fronting with a nothing to lose attitude.
by Rajitha Ratwatte
It was expected to be a one-sided easy win for the Canterbury Crusaders. They were playing the lowly Otago Highlanders, top of the table against the near bottom. Furthermore, the Otago coach Tony Brown had dropped six of the stars or starting players, due to a breach of team discipline and ethics. Otago had Mitch Hunt was playing at no10 against the mercurial Ritchie Mo’uanga, both former teammates at Canterbury. A team of Wannabees from Otago against a team of superstars from Canterbury.
It was a frenetic start and the normally reliable George Bridge on the wing for Canterbury dropped a perfectly placed cross-kick and with it a chance for the Crusaders to get ahead early. 10 minutes into the game the Highlanders got a penalty far left of field and about 40 meters out. Mitch Hunt stepped up and converted, 3 – 0 to the underdogs. Seven minutes later Codie Taylor the Canterbury hooker was pinged for offside, 30 meters out and mid-right. Again, the Otago no10 c
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Hurricanes 16 Blues 31
Blues (Papalii, Carke, Perofeta, Ioane tries; Black 4 conversion, 1 penalty)
Full time
80 mins - The Hurricanes have one final opportunity to attack on their own 22. After seven phases the attack comes to nothing and the Blues grab first blood.
77 mins - TRY BLUES to Rieko Ioane
The Hurricanes go for a risky crossfield kick which Barrett and Umaga-Jensen make a meal of. It falls to Ioane who sprints 60m to seal the deal. Black converts the try.
(BLU 31-16)
75 mins - PENALTY GOAL BLUES to Otere Black
The Blues are attacking just inside the Hurricanes 22. After six phases Ardie Savea goes for another breakdown turnover but he s off his feet and gives away a penalty.