It wasn’t the start the Hurricanes wanted, but coach Chris Boyd’s side know things can quickly be turned around when it comes to Investec Super Rugby.
A week after piling 74 points on the Crusaders in their final preseason match, the Hurricanes have lost their opening game of the 2016 season 52-10 to the Brumbies in Canberra.
Second five Ngani Laumape scored the Hurricanes only try as the home side ran in seven tries despite two yellow cards in the second half for persistent infringements at the breakdown.
Boyd was frustrated by his side’s inability to get quick ball in attack, but praised the Brumbies aggressive defensive effort and good line speed.
“To lose and concede 50 was disappointing for everybody… we had trouble at scrum time, made too many errors and couldn’t build pressure because we were getting slow or dead ball. That blunted our ability to recycle phases, so being under pressure at the breakdown was the key thing.”
With no new injuries out of the match, Boyd was confident his side would regroup before heading to Dunedin to play the Highlanders next Saturday.
The key work on would be gaining better quality ball, something he said the new midfield pairing of Laumape and centre Vince Aso did not get in Canberra.
“They got through some reasonably good work, but our problems came a little further in. We were untidy and made too many mistakes and it wasn’t helped by the fact our ball was either slow or dead or under pressure from good line speed.”
The Hurricanes started well enough with first five Beauden Barrett knocking over the first points of their season, but trailed 17-3 after 25 minutes following tries to Wallabies centre Tevita Kuridrani and Pumas halfback Tomas Cubelli, who scooted in after the ball squirted from a five metre scrum.
When Brumbies flanker David Pocock was driven over before halftime, the Hurricanes went into the sheds 24-3 behind.
There was a bright spot for the Hurricanes early in the second spell when fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder fielded a kick in his own half and split the defence open before feeding second five Ngani Laumape, who ran in for his first Investec Super Rugby try.
Referee Andrew Lees finally acted on his numerous warnings to Brumbies captain Stephen Moore and sent second five Matt Toomua and Pocock to the sinbin for not releasing the tackled player before playing the ball.
Despite the numerical disadvantage the Brumbies managed to score four second half tries in total in a quality performance to avenge last year’s semi-final loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Hurricanes wing Cory Jane said the players were hurting and determined to make amends against the Highlanders.
“Too many mistakes. They put pressure on us with good line speed. We knew it was coming but we panicked a little and they had Scott Fardy and Pocock who love getting over the ball. When they did that we panicked a little and next thing you know we were under our sticks.
“It’s a very disappointing start, so there’s a long way to go for next week. The pride is hurt, but we have the squad to turn it around and we have the attitude to do it. It’s a big week for us. We’ll put this to bed in the review on Monday and focus on next week’s game.”