Rugby: Hore shoulders added agony

Andrew Hore's dislocated shoulder could be a bit of a headache for All Black selectors.

Hore, who left the field in the 32-16 loss to the Waratahs on Friday night, has been the leading New Zealand hooker in Super rugby this season, clearly heading off the Blues' Keven Mealamu, even though the latter has been mostly in good form himself.

Hore may be out of rugby for the season, with medical staff fearful he will need a shoulder reconstruction, a six-month recuperation.

The Hurricanes' inspirational leader left the field in the 23rd minute after heavy contact at the breakdown - his best area of operation - and was in obvious pain.

However, even though Hore is worth a great deal to the Canes, no-one could claim his absence cost them the game. The Waratahs produced a bravura first half performance that could well have broken the Canes long before halftime.

The forwards dominated all forms of possession, leaving a shell-shocked Hurricanes scrambling in defence. They tackled bravely and often but, on the few occasions the Canes had the ball, they surrendered it again. The Waratahs' defence was steely and determined.

The Waratahs were up 18-9 at the break, but it could have been a lot more. Winger Drew Mitchell, now the Super 14 top tryscorer with nine, was the most penetrating and dangerous back on the field.

Fellow winger Lachie Turner and fullback Kurtley Beale impressed - the latter with his touch and elusiveness (not to mention two chip-chase tries). The loose forward trio of Phil Waugh, Ben Mowen and Pat McCutcheon were hard-nosed and combative, outshining their Canes opposites.

Berrick Barnes directed play cleverly at first-five, underlining his certain selection in, and value to, the Wallabies. His silky control contrasted greatly with Aaron Cruden's still-learning-the-game inexperience, even if he has undoubted skills.

Outgoing Canes coach Colin Cooper said the Waratahs attack had a beautiful blend of control and unpredictability, admitting clever kicks behind the Hurricanes' defensive line had caught his side off guard.

"We really didn't think they would do that," the Canes coach said.

"We thought they'd keep pretty structured and build. We couldn't keep the ball and, every time we gave them the ball back, they seemed to punish us.

"We tried our hearts out. Our defence was going pretty well but, in the end, it took its toll."

However, the Waratahs could have problems this weekend, no matter who their opponent. Top prop Benn Robinson was already out, likely for the rest of the Super 14 schedule, and starting prop Dan Palmer also left injured.

Waratahs 32 (K. Beale 2, D. Mitchell 2 tries; B. Barnes 3 cons, 2 pens), Hurricanes 16 (D. Smith try; P. Weepu con, 3 pens).