Latest news with #BillyProctor
The Advertiser
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Brumbies on high alert for major Hurricanes threat
While much has been made of the breakdown battle, the ACT Brumbies are on high alert for the threat coming from the Hurricanes back-line in their Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final. The Brumbies are out to make amends at GIO Stadium on Saturday's after the Hurricanes snapped an eight-year losing streak in Canberra in round 11 when they cracked a 35-29 win. That scoreline set up their charge to the play-offs, winning six straight. Hurricanes winger Kini Naholo was pivotal in the match, making 10 tackle-busts en route to two tries, but will miss the final after suffering an ACL injury last month with Fatafehi Fineanganofo taking his place. Brumbies fullback Tom Wright said there was still plenty of strike weapons in the visitors' line-up and they couldn't give them any room to move. Peter Umaga-Jensen and Billy Proctor are two of the form centres of the competition and will keep the Brumbies pairing of Len Ikitau and David Feliuai on their toes. "I saw Umaga-Jensen carve out a pretty decent try on the weekend and Billy Proctor obviously, you don't have to go looking too far at the season that he's had also, so I dare say Len and Dave will have their hands full," Test No.15 Wright said. "The Hurricanes bring in that sort of expansive style of football, they play an exciting game and there's going to be a lot of points scored so we're looking forward to that challenge, but, you know, we didn't get here, by accident either. "With the season our centres have had as well, I know that they're (Hurricanes) going to be looking at that pretty seriously and trying to stop them at the same time, so it's going to be a good battle." As well as a dominant home record, the ACT outfit have also enjoyed a favourable finals record against the Hurricanes, eliminating them in 1997, 2022 and 2023. Dependent on the results of the other two finals, as the third-ranked team the Brumbies could still advance to the semi-finals even with a loss. But after suffering a tight loss to the Crusaders in the final round, which cost them a top-two ladder position, Wright said his team wanted to control their own destiny. He didn't feel they were far off their best against the Crusaders, with a slow start proving costly. "For all the good work that we did we made it bloody hard on ourselves so we need to be a bit sharper as very much more of the same challenge will be coming at us this weekend from the Canes - big ball-carrying, physical guys with the footy, they want to impose themselves," Wright said. "We're looking forward to bringing the game to them." While much has been made of the breakdown battle, the ACT Brumbies are on high alert for the threat coming from the Hurricanes back-line in their Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final. The Brumbies are out to make amends at GIO Stadium on Saturday's after the Hurricanes snapped an eight-year losing streak in Canberra in round 11 when they cracked a 35-29 win. That scoreline set up their charge to the play-offs, winning six straight. Hurricanes winger Kini Naholo was pivotal in the match, making 10 tackle-busts en route to two tries, but will miss the final after suffering an ACL injury last month with Fatafehi Fineanganofo taking his place. Brumbies fullback Tom Wright said there was still plenty of strike weapons in the visitors' line-up and they couldn't give them any room to move. Peter Umaga-Jensen and Billy Proctor are two of the form centres of the competition and will keep the Brumbies pairing of Len Ikitau and David Feliuai on their toes. "I saw Umaga-Jensen carve out a pretty decent try on the weekend and Billy Proctor obviously, you don't have to go looking too far at the season that he's had also, so I dare say Len and Dave will have their hands full," Test No.15 Wright said. "The Hurricanes bring in that sort of expansive style of football, they play an exciting game and there's going to be a lot of points scored so we're looking forward to that challenge, but, you know, we didn't get here, by accident either. "With the season our centres have had as well, I know that they're (Hurricanes) going to be looking at that pretty seriously and trying to stop them at the same time, so it's going to be a good battle." As well as a dominant home record, the ACT outfit have also enjoyed a favourable finals record against the Hurricanes, eliminating them in 1997, 2022 and 2023. Dependent on the results of the other two finals, as the third-ranked team the Brumbies could still advance to the semi-finals even with a loss. But after suffering a tight loss to the Crusaders in the final round, which cost them a top-two ladder position, Wright said his team wanted to control their own destiny. He didn't feel they were far off their best against the Crusaders, with a slow start proving costly. "For all the good work that we did we made it bloody hard on ourselves so we need to be a bit sharper as very much more of the same challenge will be coming at us this weekend from the Canes - big ball-carrying, physical guys with the footy, they want to impose themselves," Wright said. "We're looking forward to bringing the game to them." While much has been made of the breakdown battle, the ACT Brumbies are on high alert for the threat coming from the Hurricanes back-line in their Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final. The Brumbies are out to make amends at GIO Stadium on Saturday's after the Hurricanes snapped an eight-year losing streak in Canberra in round 11 when they cracked a 35-29 win. That scoreline set up their charge to the play-offs, winning six straight. Hurricanes winger Kini Naholo was pivotal in the match, making 10 tackle-busts en route to two tries, but will miss the final after suffering an ACL injury last month with Fatafehi Fineanganofo taking his place. Brumbies fullback Tom Wright said there was still plenty of strike weapons in the visitors' line-up and they couldn't give them any room to move. Peter Umaga-Jensen and Billy Proctor are two of the form centres of the competition and will keep the Brumbies pairing of Len Ikitau and David Feliuai on their toes. "I saw Umaga-Jensen carve out a pretty decent try on the weekend and Billy Proctor obviously, you don't have to go looking too far at the season that he's had also, so I dare say Len and Dave will have their hands full," Test No.15 Wright said. "The Hurricanes bring in that sort of expansive style of football, they play an exciting game and there's going to be a lot of points scored so we're looking forward to that challenge, but, you know, we didn't get here, by accident either. "With the season our centres have had as well, I know that they're (Hurricanes) going to be looking at that pretty seriously and trying to stop them at the same time, so it's going to be a good battle." As well as a dominant home record, the ACT outfit have also enjoyed a favourable finals record against the Hurricanes, eliminating them in 1997, 2022 and 2023. Dependent on the results of the other two finals, as the third-ranked team the Brumbies could still advance to the semi-finals even with a loss. But after suffering a tight loss to the Crusaders in the final round, which cost them a top-two ladder position, Wright said his team wanted to control their own destiny. He didn't feel they were far off their best against the Crusaders, with a slow start proving costly. "For all the good work that we did we made it bloody hard on ourselves so we need to be a bit sharper as very much more of the same challenge will be coming at us this weekend from the Canes - big ball-carrying, physical guys with the footy, they want to impose themselves," Wright said. "We're looking forward to bringing the game to them."
West Australian
18 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Brumbies on high alert for major Hurricanes threat
While much has been made of the breakdown battle, the ACT Brumbies are on high alert for the threat coming from the Hurricanes back-line in their Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final. The Brumbies are out to make amends at GIO Stadium on Saturday's after the Hurricanes snapped an eight-year losing streak in Canberra in round 11 when they cracked a 35-29 win. That scoreline set up their charge to the play-offs, winning six straight. Hurricanes winger Kini Naholo was pivotal in the match, making 10 tackle-busts en route to two tries, but will miss the final after suffering an ACL injury last month with Fatafehi Fineanganofo taking his place. Brumbies fullback Tom Wright said there was still plenty of strike weapons in the visitors' line-up and they couldn't give them any room to move. Peter Umaga-Jensen and Billy Proctor are two of the form centres of the competition and will keep the Brumbies pairing of Len Ikitau and David Feliuai on their toes. "I saw Umaga-Jensen carve out a pretty decent try on the weekend and Billy Proctor obviously, you don't have to go looking too far at the season that he's had also, so I dare say Len and Dave will have their hands full," Test No.15 Wright said. "The Hurricanes bring in that sort of expansive style of football, they play an exciting game and there's going to be a lot of points scored so we're looking forward to that challenge, but, you know, we didn't get here, by accident either. "With the season our centres have had as well, I know that they're (Hurricanes) going to be looking at that pretty seriously and trying to stop them at the same time, so it's going to be a good battle." As well as a dominant home record, the ACT outfit have also enjoyed a favourable finals record against the Hurricanes, eliminating them in 1997, 2022 and 2023. Dependent on the results of the other two finals, as the third-ranked team the Brumbies could still advance to the semi-finals even with a loss. But after suffering a tight loss to the Crusaders in the final round, which cost them a top-two ladder position, Wright said his team wanted to control their own destiny. He didn't feel they were far off their best against the Crusaders, with a slow start proving costly. "For all the good work that we did we made it bloody hard on ourselves so we need to be a bit sharper as very much more of the same challenge will be coming at us this weekend from the Canes - big ball-carrying, physical guys with the footy, they want to impose themselves," Wright said. "We're looking forward to bringing the game to them."
Perth Now
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Brumbies on high alert for major Hurricanes threat
While much has been made of the breakdown battle, the ACT Brumbies are on high alert for the threat coming from the Hurricanes back-line in their Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final. The Brumbies are out to make amends at GIO Stadium on Saturday's after the Hurricanes snapped an eight-year losing streak in Canberra in round 11 when they cracked a 35-29 win. That scoreline set up their charge to the play-offs, winning six straight. Hurricanes winger Kini Naholo was pivotal in the match, making 10 tackle-busts en route to two tries, but will miss the final after suffering an ACL injury last month with Fatafehi Fineanganofo taking his place. Brumbies fullback Tom Wright said there was still plenty of strike weapons in the visitors' line-up and they couldn't give them any room to move. Peter Umaga-Jensen and Billy Proctor are two of the form centres of the competition and will keep the Brumbies pairing of Len Ikitau and David Feliuai on their toes. "I saw Umaga-Jensen carve out a pretty decent try on the weekend and Billy Proctor obviously, you don't have to go looking too far at the season that he's had also, so I dare say Len and Dave will have their hands full," Test No.15 Wright said. "The Hurricanes bring in that sort of expansive style of football, they play an exciting game and there's going to be a lot of points scored so we're looking forward to that challenge, but, you know, we didn't get here, by accident either. "With the season our centres have had as well, I know that they're (Hurricanes) going to be looking at that pretty seriously and trying to stop them at the same time, so it's going to be a good battle." As well as a dominant home record, the ACT outfit have also enjoyed a favourable finals record against the Hurricanes, eliminating them in 1997, 2022 and 2023. Dependent on the results of the other two finals, as the third-ranked team the Brumbies could still advance to the semi-finals even with a loss. But after suffering a tight loss to the Crusaders in the final round, which cost them a top-two ladder position, Wright said his team wanted to control their own destiny. He didn't feel they were far off their best against the Crusaders, with a slow start proving costly. "For all the good work that we did we made it bloody hard on ourselves so we need to be a bit sharper as very much more of the same challenge will be coming at us this weekend from the Canes - big ball-carrying, physical guys with the footy, they want to impose themselves," Wright said. "We're looking forward to bringing the game to them."
RNZ News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Hurricanes star Billy Proctor has eye on the prize among All Blacks chat
Billy Proctor of the Hurricanes passes the ball. Photo: AAP / Photosport Billy Proctor's form could be impossible to ignore for the All Blacks selectors . It's no co-incidence Proctor's return to the Hurricanes midfield has coincided with the team's return to winning ways. The All Blacks midfielder missed a large chunk of the Super Rugby season with a niggly achilles injury, but he's back and making a big difference, with the Wellington based side unbeaten since his inclusion. The Hurricanes were in eighth place when he returned against the Western Force in the second half of April, but they're now assured of a place in the top six playoffs with one round remaining. They sit fourth and could cement that spot with a win against Moana Pasifika in Wellington on Saturday. Billy Proctor. Photo: Patrick Hoelscher/ActionPress Proctor was happy with the way he'd been playing. "I'm pretty happy with where I'm at. It's been what, four or five games now, finding my feet and feeling pretty good. Hopefully we can continue on the same track," Proctor said. "We've secured our spot in the playoffs and that's all you can ask for at this stage of the season. At the start of the year it was my goal to be in the playoffs and that win cemented our spot there, so we're stoked." While the two-cap midfielder was keen to make the All Blacks squad for the three-test series in New Zealand in July, he was adamant his focus was on helping the Hurricanes secure a top four finish and push as deep into the playoffs as possible. "I'm just here to do my best for this team. That's all I can control and all I can worry about," Proctor said. "All the rest, I'll let other people talk and do what they want with it. "Getting a taste of [test rugby] last year, it's definitely where I want to be, in that environment and playing for the best team in New Zealand. But as I said my focus is on here." Billy Proctor. Photo: Masanori Udagawa Hurricanes assistant coach Bryn Evans said Proctor's impact on the Hurricanes had been significant. "He brings experience, he brings a calmness in that back line," Evans said. "At times in Super Rugby the ball can be going all over the show and to have a guy that has that direction and can take that deep breath is awesome for us." The new top six finals format means it's important to finish as high up the ladder as possible. The highest ranked loser from the first week of the playoffs will get a second chance and advance to the semi-finals. The Hurricanes know this and Evans said they wouldn't be resting any top players against Moana Pasifika, who beat them earlier this season, as the host seek to secure fourth in the standings. Evans believed Moana, who were coming off a hammering from the Chiefs and must win in Wellington to secure their first finals appearance, would be tough to beat. "Against the Chiefs in that sort of form anyone would have found it difficult," Evans said. "We will definitely give Moana the respect they deserve. They've taken us once this season. "They've put in a number of good performances. They're coming here in form, we think, and we have to prepare for that." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
26-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika: Billy Proctor eyes All Blacks return, but remains focused on Super Rugby Pacific
Hurricanes midfielder Billy Proctor is doing everything possible to make the first All Blacks squad of the year, but right now he wants his footy to do the talking on the field. After missing the first eight games of the season with an Achilles injury, Proctor has arguably been the best player in Super Rugby Pacific, with his form coinciding with a change in fortunes for the Hurricanes. They were 3-5 without him but since Proctor returned, the Hurricanes have found top gear and are unbeaten, with a draw and four wins, which have elevated them into the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs. Last month, the 26-year-old re-signed with New Zealand Rugby through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, signalling his intention to add to the two test appearances he made last year against Fiji and Japan. His form will have left All Blacks coach Scott Robertson with plenty to ponder ahead of his first 35-man squad naming on June 23, but more importantly whether Proctor or incumbent Rieko Ioane should don the No 13 jersey in the first of three tests against France.
