A composed and clinical second-half performance enabled the Hurricanes to clinch a 37-27 win over the Blues, according to SARugbymag.co.za’s Opta-powered stats.
In the opening stanza, the Canes were drawn into playing a loose running game that failed to reap rewards, while they were let down by some shoddy defence, with 22 missed tackles blighting the hosts’ performance.
The Blues led by seven points after an opening period that saw the visitors make 386m to the Hurricanes’ 271, beat 22 defenders to 13 and complete 74 carries to 55, and they probably deserved to be further ahead at the break.
And although the Blues ended the match with vastly superior figures in terms of those selfsame attacking stats, the Canes shored up their defence and produced a far more measured approach to battle their way back into the lead.
Photo: Grant Down/Photosport
