Super Rugby Quarter Final: Hurricanes v Sharks
Saturday 23 July 2016
Review
Dane Coles rib injury took some of the gloss off a magnificent Hurricanes display, in what were unique conditions. You don't tend to get that combination of rain and swirling gale-forced winds anywhere other than the Wellington stadium and the home side were superb in the circumstances. Halfback TJ Perenara and first five-eighth Beauden Barrett continued their stellar form but it wouldn't have worked without the team's bit-part players.
A Barrett penalty, then crosskick, got the Hurricanes underway. Wing Jason Woodward fielded the crosskick, beat a couple of defenders and prop Loni Uhila plunged over from the subsequent ruck.
James Marshall was next to score, put over after Perenara spotted space on the blindside from a five-metre scrum.
The halfback then set up the next two tries - for Woodward and lock Vaea Fifita - before scoring one himself. At 34-0 after 60 minutes, Boyd had the luxury of giving his halves, and other key players such as Cory Jane and Victor Vito a spell.
Blindside flanker Brad Shields then scored right on fulltime, with Woodward converting, to cap things off.
The Hurricanes' reward is a Saturday semi final at Westpac Stadium against the Chiefs.
Hurricanes 41 (Loni Uhila, James Marshall, Jason Woodward, Vaea Fifita, TJ Perenara, Brad Shields tries; Beauden Barrett pen, 3 con, Jason Woodward con) Sharks 0. HT: 13-0.
Event Information
In their final pool match of the season, the Hurricanes achieved a dominant five-try performance to defeat the Crusaders and claim the all-important bonus point. The win was the team's 11th victory in 15 regular season matches.
Finishing top of the series ladder also means that the Hurricanes will host the Super Rugby final unless they are eliminated.
For more about the finals series, please visit the <link http: www.superrugby.co.nz _blank external-link-new-window external link in new>Super Rugby website
MATCH DAY TIMINGS
4.00pm - Public car park opens
4.00pm - Ticketek Box Office opens
5.30pm - Gates open
7.35pm - Kick off Hurricanes v Sharks
9.10pm - Estimated end of match
ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
Pre-Match Road Closures – 5.00pm to 8.30pm:
- Bunny St closed at Featherston St end
- No right turn closure Waterloo Quay, southbound into Bunny St
- Stout St, no right turn into Bunny St or Featherston St
- No left turn into Bunny St, southbound Featherston St
Post-Match Road Closures – 8.30pm to 11.00pm:
- Bunny St closed at Featherston St end
- No right turn closure Waterloo Quay, southbound into Bunny St
- Stout St, no right turn into Featherston St and Bunny St
- Thorndon Quay closed (Davis St to Mulgrave St)
- Mulgrave St closed (Aitken to Thorndon Quay/Featherston St)
- Featherston St closed (Mulgrave St to Whitmore St)
TRAINS
Hutt Valley Line – Trains will be replaced by buses until 4.00pm. Trains will be operating from 4.00pm onward.
