Richard Loe: Poor platform hamstrings NZ franchises

Ma'a Nonu. Photo / Getty Images

There'll be a few people feeling sorry for the Hurricanes this weekend after that 26-26 draw with the Crusaders. A lot of people felt they should have won.

That, to me, is the story of the Hurricanes this season: 'should have'.

They should have played like that against the Sharks the previous weekend. They would have won easily.

The difference between the Canes' ability at ruck and maul from one weekend to the next was huge, even if the Crusaders did help them by deciding subconsciously that the game was won and that it was a bit of a waltz.

The Canes really manned up at ruck and maul and that was what got them back into the game; that and Ma'a Nonu sparking things with that try of his, which was full of pace and power and good timing.

He also put a couple of hits on - one must have gone close to a citing - which lifted his team.

Those sounding off at Jonathan Kaplan for allowing the Crusaders' over-time try should understand that Kaplan was in position, obviously thought a try had been scored and asked the video ref to make sure he hadn't missed anything that would prevent him from awarding the try.

He didn't ask if a try had been scored.

It sounds a tiny difference, but it's really a big thing. When Kaplan (who obviously saw more on the field than the cameras ) heard that the video ref couldn't find a reason not to award the try, he acted.

That's how it should be and I understand Kaplan fronted the media afterwards and explained exactly that.

Good on him. He had the authority, he made a decision and he explained it - and I have always said that refs should be as accountable as the players.

However, New Zealand teams have struggled this year, except for the Crusaders, because they have not consistently employed good, tight forward play of the kind that sets a platform for the team. Plus some of our players have not hit their straps.

The Hurricanes had gone so far down this not-setting-a-platform path before Friday they had to indulge in an attack-from-everywhere approach against the Sharks to try to make something happen - and the Sharks just sat back and waited for the mistakes.

In the end on Friday night, what happened?

The Crusaders took a grip on the game and tightened right up, controlling the scrums, playing driving rugby and almost unstoppable pick-and-drives, leading to that last try.

Then we saw the Blues last night do much the same thing as the Hurricanes and take down the Bulls. They have played their attacking game well previously but often without setting that platform.

They did well at scrum, lineout and breakdown last night and were perhaps the best New Zealand side I have seen at combating the Bulls' rolling maul - some of their defensive drives were outstanding and upset the Bulls.

Prop Charlie Faumuina, No 8 Viliame Maafu, flanker Jerome Kaino and Keven Mealamu were tremendous as the Bulls were out-powered at the breakdown, allowing the Blues backs to play fancy stuff.

Tony Woodcock didn't play with his sore neck and maybe needs a long rest now - but this game shows the Blues can do it. The only question remaining is: will they?

Up until last night, I thought New Zealand teams were being out-coached, with too many players out of form. Maybe now we are coming back into it as teams set that platform.

The Chiefs won, but their scrum and lineout were poor, underlining the point.

I bet the All Black selectors have been watching warily - and would have been very interested in this weekend's displays.