by Rajitha Ratwatte

Friday of the ANZAC weekend (Remembrance Day for Australian and New Zealand soldiers killed in action) began with a ceremony and a perceptible wave of pride and emotion from the players and spectators prior to the commencement of the week 9, Aotearoa super rugby game Waikato Chiefs vs Wellington Hurricanes. Match played at Kirikiriroa (Maori name for Hamilton) a much nicer name than that of an ex-governor from colonial times for Auckland’s closest satellite town.

The Chiefs playing as favourites for the first time in a long time after ending one of the worst losing streaks in the history of the tournament, just a month ago. The Hurricanes without their skipper and hardworking no8 Aardie Savea and Dan Coles (mercurial and irrepressible are some words that spring to mind when describing this All Black and Wellington hooker) captaining in his stead. Damian Mackenzie “D mac” or “clutch” as he is better known starting at no15 and Gatlin getting another chance at no10. The Hurricanes playing in white jerseys as against the accustomed yellow and black.

Gatlin looked very shaky at the start of the game, messing up the initial kick-off sending it out on the full, and having to restart with a scrum on the 50-meter line Hurricanes ball. Under a minute into play, a great offload from Tighthead prop Tyrell Lomax to no four James Blackwell saw him gallop his way over the line for a try that continues to prove that the tight five can do almost a better job than the glory boys in the backs, if only they get a chance! Try converted easily because we thinking forwards always make sure the kicking angle is easy, 0 -7 Hurricanes away to a dream start. The Chiefs got a kickable penalty almost immediately but chose to go for territory instead. 13 minutes into the game a harder penalty around 42 meters out and mid-left was given to Damian Mackenzie to try for three points. This is about the limit of the kicking range for the diminutive D Mack, but he duly obliged, 3 -7. 16 minutes into the game a great bit of running rugby with Mackenzie being involved twice saw the Chiefs no eight Peter Sowakulu misjudge chip kick and drop the ball over the line.

Referee Paul Williams was handling the game well, with clear instructions to players around the rucks and mauls thereby minimizing penalties and ensuring plenty of turnovers and 15 vs 15 rugby, removing the dominance of placekickers, which is as it should be! The 21-year-old youngster Ruben Love playing his second game for the Hurricanes at no10 was playing a defensive role from inside his half with the strapping Jordie Barret playing at first receiver most of the time, although wearing the no15 jersey. 28 minutes into the game All Black and Waikato center, Lennert- Brown went over the line after 14 phases of play only to have the try disallowed for non-grounding of the ball. Waikato was playing under advantage and another scrum was taken instead of a kick at the goal. The Waikato scrum which was given an abject lesson by the Crusaders just a few weeks ago had improved dramatically and the Chiefs no eight went over off a forward-moving scrum to score a try that was easily converted by “clutch” Mackenzie. 10 – 7, Chiefs in the lead for the first time. Seconds from halftime Jordie Barret kicked a 60-meter penalty, this is almost customary now for 6’8″ Hurricanes full-back, to make the scores level 10 – 10 at halftime.

Two minutes after the resumption the Chiefs got a penalty around 27 meters out and mid-right with the angle. Penalty converted Chiefs back in the lead 13 – 10. 46 minutes into the game a long throw from a Chiefs line out saw a rejuvenated Gatlin at no10 fly-hack the ball ahead, an awkward bonce for full-back Jordie Barret saw a knock backward, and one of the defenders being pinged for offside. Although easily kickable a scrum was taken and the newfound dominance of the Waikato pack allowed clean ball to the no10 Gatlin who finally played to his potential, stepped past the rookie opposition no10 who came up too far in defence and scored under the posts. 20 – 10 Waikato Chiefs ahead. The 21-year-old Hurricanes no10 came back into play with a great pass to his no eight Flanders who gained plenty of territory and the Hurricanes kept the ball in play for around 10 phases finally passing to Billy Proctor who scored just left of the posts. Kicks from there no problem for J. Barret and the score 20 -17 and anyone’s game! 55 minutes into the game a penalty awarded to the Chiefs around 40 meters out and mid-right was missed by “D’mac” but he made amends just two minutes later by slotting a harder penalty, further out but in front of the posts, awarded for that textbook error that the rugby governing body is apparently very strict on, players not falling back or standing still until put onside by the kicker. Score onto 23 – 17 Chiefs drawing further ahead. The 64th minute and the 65th minute saw kickable penalties that were awarded to the ‘Canes being turned into attempts to gain territory. It all paid off in the 67th minute when substitute hooker Asafa Amuna powered his way over the line from a penalty “milked” by passing the ball into a Waikato player who was trying to get onside. Trying to stop Amuna from that range was aptly described as like “trying to tackle a cannonball”! Try converted and lo and behold, the Hurricanes back into a one-point lead 23 -24.

A couple of captain’s challenges from either side were dismissed and even the infallible Damian Mackenzie made a mistake sending the ball out on the full and losing a lot of territory due to scrum having to be held from the point of the kick. A bad throw from a Chiefs line out saw the Hurricanes knock the ball on trying to collect it and a scrum awarded, with loose head to the Chiefs almost on the full-time hooter. The dominance of the Waikato pack came to the fore and they forced a scrum penalty 45 meters out, in front and at the maximum range that even ‘D Mac’ could manage. He stepped up with the full-time hooter echoing around the stadium and what else from this X factor maestro, but straight down the middle! Waikato Chiefs home by 26 – 24 and their hopes to play in the final still alive. Unthinkable from just five weeks ago and due to a great forward pack and “Clutch” Mackenzie who was described by his skipper Brad Webb in a subsequent TV interview as “Jeeze he’s good isn’t he”?!!

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