Hurricanes vs Force 2nd April Palmerston North

[WFDom]

Good on them for keeping going. Flattering score line tho… wasn’t that close.

They build momentum and then undo it pretty much every time. Very frustrating.

Strachan was great. And interestingly is probably a better 10 than Stewart

[blueandblack]

Really don't like this "catch up" stuff. Get ahead and stay ahead.

[jargan83]

Played well in patches but also some dumb as dogshit stuff.

Felt like the Hurricanes took the foot off of the gas at 45-21 with 10 to go but that's probably a lesson for them too.

[andrewM]

Yes, the final score was flattering, but obviously that wind and sun had a much more significant impact on the game than the tellie suggests. Canes the better team, our defence was poor T times but in the last 10 minutes we really played smarter? Our attack imo was the best it's ever been against a Kiwi side thouhh

[GIGS20]

I reckon Strachan should play 10 until Reesjan is fit, he looked good

Simpson, again, was spectacular, Fines Leleiwasa didn't drop the intensity at all.
first two scrum penalties were inexplicable but after that, until the young boys came on we did pretty well.
I honestly thought we were buggered when Stewart came off, but we did well, then Strachan pinged his ankle and I though we were buggered again, but we weren't. Mataele started well but then went quiet (beats starting poorly and then getting quieter like his last game) Kibirige great, Tiatia - well exactly what you expect from him, he'll never die wondering, but some of it will be hair-pullingly bad.

Can't figure out what the interpretation was at the breakdown. Kirifi gets credit for brushing his fingers over the arm of the tackled player before getting laid on his ass within seconds, but Fines-Leleiwasa lifts the player ball and all no fewer than 5 times and gets told to let go because he's not on the ball. it was just strange.

Good ticker, but I am getting a little tired of them not playing rugby until they're three tries down.

[jargan83]

Also how is exiting our defensive 22 after scoring points still an issue? It feels like it's been an issue since 2006.

[boof1050]

What was the penalty count in the end? Farken 4-1 against us in 2nd half in the first 8 minutes! Are we that bad??

[todd4]

Penalties conceded Force 16 Hurricanes 8

Tries Hurricanes 7 - Force 6 We managed to kick all 6 conversions!

[shasta]

On the bright side, the NZ trip didn't end up the horror story I was expecting. Really should have taken two BP's. Now for the Tahs. Most other teams would be energised by the late disappointment against the Ponies. With the Tahs, however it tends to go from bad to worse more often than not. Let's keep it that way.

[boof1050]

Not exactly saying we deserved the win but 16 penalties to 8! Farken really!!
No team is going to win with that many penalties against you.

[chibi]

Good ticker, but I am getting a little tired of them not playing rugby until they're three tries down.

Summed up nicely

[SNOB]

I can’t complain to much about the score as I predicted a lot worse than that. Well done. BUT I hate it that they scored from a kick! Now it will be kick after kick because it worked once!

[.X.]

I can’t complain to much about the score as I predicted a lot worse than that. Well done. BUT I hate it that they scored from a kick! Now it will be kick after kick because it worked once!

Contrary to popular belief - especially on certain Facebook pages. Kicking has a very important place in Rugby.

[wholetruth]

Sadly, this game was like so many.
I have followed my team since Day 1.
I have never missed a home game.
I have travelled overseas and to the Eastern States to support them.
I will continue to support them.
But
For years I've been frustrated hearing "they played well and are getting better".
But.
We lost.
I know our players do everything they can and will always be disappointed by a loss.
But.
We cannot keep listening to the same excuses, the same rhetoric.
I don't pretend know what the answer is and I will continue to support my side.
But.
Please can we stop accepting second best, stop thinking that being close is good enough.
Rant over

[shasta]

I don't pretend know what the answer is and I will continue to support my side.

I think you probably do. A level playing field. For now, it is what it is. Expect the worst hope for better and stick.