jameshunter1 wrote:NZ will smash 'em by 30 I reckon.
You just might be on to something, as they lost to Hurricane Schools today, 21-24.
TNT TOUR MATCH 4 - SUNCORP AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLBOYS - HURRICANE HOODOO CONTINUES!
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
v HURRICANE SCHOOLS
FMG Stadium, Palmerston North
A beautiful ground – the headquarters of Manawatu in the local NPC competition – awaits this battle. In the equivalent match two years ago, the Hurricanes beat Australia and this year the champion provincial team from the New Zealand is keen to keep strong their international record. However this year this strength could be a negative as 10 local players have made the Test team and are unavailable for this match.
The weather patterns in New Zealand have turned sour and the bad weather reaches Palmerston North in the hour before kick off. The game is played in cool conditions with steady rain but wind is not a problem.
The Suncorp Australian Schoolboys have played their fourth match of the TNT tour. The last match will be to defend the Novotel Trans Tasman Trophy.
1 minute
A mistake by Australia on receipt of the kick off leads to an immediate turn over and the Hurricanes are on attack and threaten to score. They do not have to wait long and No 8 Afa Tuali is adjudged the scorer when a ruck is formed close to the line. The reliable first five-eighth Cripps adds the extras and the shocked Australians are trying to regroup as they return to the middle of the field.
0 – 7
8 minutes
It is the tenacious tackling of the locals which frustrates Australia when they gain any ball. This brings the Hurricanes the reward of a kickable penalty. Cripps obliges.
0 - 10
11 minutes
Eventually Australian pressure is restored and play works its way to the far end of the park – Australia’s first visit! The Australian’s are rewarded with a penalty in front and Ambrosini has Australia’s point scoring started.
3 – 10
The Hurricanes certainly look very polished, given they have only assembled two days before the match. Twice they are denied tries. Their back-line general Cripps understands wet weather play and gets the ball in behind the Australian backs. This forces a lineout in the corner and the interrupted ball gives them the chance. A knock on over the line denies this score.
They are back being dangerous when their loose-head Tamefuna is not stopped and cuts through the mid-field.
19 minutes
The Hurricanes score their second try, courtesy of a smart run by Cripps with a clever inside pass to speedster Tuck who scores comfortably. The try is converted and it looks very difficult for Australia!
3 - 17
There are two other opportunities in which Hurricanes could have scored. Prop Tameifuna is featuring again!
35 minutes
On the eve of half-time Australia at last secures some continuity of ball and manage to get the locals scrambling for defense. The long runs by winger Robertson and captain Mitchell get the ball close to the line. The forwards respond admirably and the quick ball finds its way to mid-field player Tim Bennetts – who scores. The simple conversion attempt is missed.
8 – 17
HALF TIME Australia 8 – Hurricanes 17
1 minute
Australia start this half much better than the first. At last the locals are forced into error and there is more productive Australian play. The best they can do though is force a penalty – which scrum half Bredenhann capitalizes on with a penalty goal.
11 - 17
The Australians continue with their positive play. The fresh replacements Edwards, McDougall and Buchanan are making a difference and there is a ‘sniff’ of an Australian revival. The dangerous prop Tamefuna earns a rest and the Australian tacklers breath a collective sigh of relief! A penalty against Australia seems to be enough for the Hurricanes to regroup.
13 minutes
A settling kick from the Hurricane No 10 gives a lineout close to the Australian line. The Hurricanes capture the ball and their No 8 is over – near the posts – for a double. The conversion seems to give them an adequate margin to comfortably win the match.
11 – 24
The Australians are playing their best football of the match and perhaps the Hurricanes are tiring – though still playing determinedly under the leadership of their scrum half, Junior Paparoa.
With nearly 20 minutes remaining, first Bredenhann makes an audacious intercept, but losses support and is forced to kick and later a strong scrum to Australia – with a fresher front row and Buchanan replacing the injured Johnson – forces the Hurricanes back.
28 minute
Josh Ellise-Flint is the try scorer in the corner, but the missed conversion from the sideline makes the margin ’safe’ for the Kiwis.
16 - 24
A bad handling mistake close to the Australian line is nullified with a tight – head scrum win. The ball is transferred brilliantly through the hands and whilst the ball is 90 metres from the try line a try is definitely ‘on’! One dropped pass ruins this opportunity!
25 minutes
Replacement fly half Coleman runs a long distance after an intercept and scores, but the conversion is missed.
21 - 24
While Australia can rue some lost opportunities to win the match – the die was cast in the first minute of the match. The Hurricanes are to be congratulated on a well deserved victory. The score line looks close finally but they are worthy victors and it would have been an injustice if the last two Australian conversions were successful.
Our friend from TNT, David Patchett, was again on hand to present the victors with footballs after the match.
Next match is on Friday 10th October at the famous Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth – where the Suncorp Australian Schoolboys defend the Novotel Trans Tasman Trophy and complete their TNT tour.
HURRICANE SCHOOLS 24 (Afa Tuali 2, Ashton Tuck tries; Hayden Cripps 3 conversions, penalty)
defeated
SUNCORP AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS 21 (Tim Bennetts, Josh Ellise-Flint, Robbie Coleman tries; James Ambrosini, Eddie Bredenhann penalties)
