‘Tahs spoil Tana’s party
5 May 2007
Tana Umaga’s Super 14 career finished on a disappointing note when the Waratahs hammered the Hurricanes 38-14 in Wellington.
The former All Black captain was given a standing ovation when he left the field with 15 minutes remaining, but by that stage his team trailed by 18 points and the game was long gone.
For the Waratahs, this was a great way to end a nightmare season that has seen them claim just three victories. They now move up to 11th position on the log, going past the Lions and Cheetahs who play at Ellis Park this afternoon.
The Waratahs were comprehensive winners at the Cake Tin, despite failing to take their chances early on in the game.
They were unlucky not to score just seconds after kick-off when centre Ben Jacobs put a toe into touch just before grounding the ball in the right-hand corner. A minute later, Jacobs looked like he’d been put into space near the posts only to lose possession in the tackle.
The Hurricanes also blew several scoring opportunities, most notably when Cory Jane failed to offload to Shannon Paku who was unmarked on the wing.
Peter Hewat had given the Waratahs the lead with a penalty, only for his second effort to hit the posts from close range. But the Sydney side were finally rewarded for their dominance when a scrappy line-out saw Will Caldwell tap the ball back to fellow second-rower Dean Mumm who raced 20m for the game’s opening five-pointer.
Hewat kicked a penalty to make it 13-0 with half-time approaching, but the Hurricanes hit back immediately when prop John Schwalger broke away from the restart and Jimmy Gopperth planted the ball over the tryline.
However, the Waratahs restored their lead soon after the break when Sam Harris kicked ahead and Lachlan Turner snatched the ball away from Jane, who appeared to fall over his own feet.
The visitors struck again five minutes later when Jacobs carved his way through the defence and Harris managed to get the pass away to Lote Tuqiri on his inside. The Million Dollar Man juggled the ball for a second before scoring his first Super 14 try since May 2006.
Jerry Collins gave the 25,000 crowd hope when he barged his way over the line to pull seven points back. But while the Waratahs bizarely took Turner off with 20 minutes remaining, they still managed to finish strongly, with two penalties from Hewat and an interception try from Jacobs sealing the deal.
Hurricances – Tries: Jimmy Gopperth, Jerry Collins. Conversions: Piri Weepu (2).
Waratahs – Tries: Dean Mumm, Lachlan Turner, Lote Tuqiri, Ben Jacobs. Conversions: Peter Hewat (3). Penalties: Hewat (4).
55 Comments
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5 May 2007, 12:47 pm
To Tana,
Thanks for everything.
Cane.
5 May 2007, 12:49 pm
Cane
Ditto.
A legend in his own time, Tana Umaga was.
5 May 2007, 13:10 pm
Pietman,
On behalf of Tana, Thank you for your kind words.
Longevity, Class, Humility and Talent are a rare conmbination.
Mike Catt, George Greagan, Steven Larkham, Ollie LeRoux, Oz DuRant, Percy and even a little Crusaders wing called Caleb Ralph.
The sun will set on them all soon. But what entertainment they gave us all.
5 May 2007, 14:03 pm
Pathetic Canes how useless surely with so many players from the squad leaving they could have played for eachother but not to be….Oh well you deserve where you are a province with good players but no class to go all the way like the Crusaders and Blues
5 May 2007, 14:50 pm
marvinb (#54)
You’ve got some issues, mate.
Hurricanes problem tonight – AGAIN – was disrespecting their opponent. Just thinking that turning up is going to be enough – without EARNING the win – that’s unacceptable.
They’ve got up enough to knock over some of the big teams this year – Blues, Brumbies, Chiefs, and Bulls – all ahead of them on the log. Then they’ve gone down to the Reds, Lions, and ‘Tahs.
Also respect for ball security and possession MUST be paramount. That means NOT throwing stupid passes, NOT knocking the ball on, NOT losing the ball forward in the tackle, and catching the ball on the full. Fail to do those things and you lose points, lose games, and lose fans.
I really like Colin Cooper, but the coach is ultimately responsible for the team’s “headspace”. I think he’s got to go. I’m not a big Robbie Deans fan, but if he had a twin – or was cloneable – he’s got what the Hurricanes need.
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