Hurricanes in, but out of sorts

Ma'a Nonu storms through the tackle of Sean Hardman. Getty Images / Marty Melville

Hurricanes 26 Reds 22

The Hurricanes guaranteed themselves extra Super 14 action this season but lacked the carriage of champions last night as they struggled to get past the unfancied Reds.

For long periods of this game at the Cake Tin, the Hurricanes lacked the control and conviction they will need if they are to claim their first title in Super history. But they became the first New Zealand side to confirm their playoff berth last night, repeating their successful foray last year into the semifinals.

Victory sent the Hurricanes into the playoffs for the fourth time since Super rugby made its debut in 1996.

Their final pool game against the Waratahs next week in Sydney is now a contest to sort out semifinal hosting rights.

During the build up to the game, Reds flanker David Croft was offended bookmakers could place his side at such long odds to win. Croft, experienced lock Mark Connors and tighthead prop Rodney Blake delivered the spirited platform for the Reds to attack the formbook while the trimmings came from the attacking class of Chris Latham, the Force-bound Drew Mitchell and Berrick Barnes.

When the resolute Croft drove over from a scrum soon after the halftime break, a monumental upset looked on as the Hurricanes could not shake their lethargy.

They were unsettled at lineouts and scrums, obsessed about chip kicks, uncertain about their strategies and whether to search for some width, kick for territory or try and crunch it up close in the chilly, windy conditions.

It took the lethal loose forward combination of Jerry Collins and Chris Masoe to come up with a solution when they opened up the Reds defence in midfield with their power running and interplay.

From the subsequent ruck, replacement five-eighths Jimmy Gopperth's grubber kick ricocheted off a couple of defenders into the secure grasp of Tana Umaga who scored and finally, with the last quarter to run, the match looked safe for the hosts.

The Reds refused to buckle though and 12 minutes from the end captain John Roe plunged over from a lineout catch and drive. With Barnes converting from out wide, the Hurricanes margin was a solitary point, an edge they managed to hold through the final stages.

A strong start to the game unravelled quickly for the Hurricanes who needed some fortune to hold a 13-8 lead at the break. Impressive lock Jason Eaton had scored after Piri Weepu made a powerful bust close to the ruck but the transfer from the halfback looked suspiciously forward although it escaped the expert night vision of touch judges Paul Honiss and Jonathan Kaplan.

Wing Lome Fa'atau handed back that advantage though when his chip kick was intercepted by Barnes who raced 50m to beat the covering Isaia Toeava and get his side back in the match.

The obliging Hurricanes gave them regular assistance with some very indifferent play for the remainder of this tight match.

Hurricanes 26 (J. Eaton, T. Umaga, tries; D Holwell con, 3 pen, J. Gopperth pen, con)
Reds 22 (B. Barnes, D. Croft, J. Roe, tries; B. Barnes 2 con, pen)
HT: 13-8