Latest news with #KiniNaholo
Scoop
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Hurricanes v Chiefs: What You Need To Know
Hurricanes v Chiefs Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 3 May Sky Stadium, Wellington Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport Two teams that not only have an intriguing history against one another, but also both come off two very good wins, go at it tonight at Sky Stadium. The Chiefs have the Crusaders breathing down their neck as they sit atop the table, however their 56-22 win over the Force last weekend without Damian McKenzie underlined their championship credentials. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes put on their best performance of the season with a 35-29 win over the Brumbies in Canberra. It stands as the only win so far by a New Zealand team on Australian soil this season. Team lists Hurricanes: 1. Tevita Mafileo, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brayden Iose, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Riley Higgins, 13. Billy Proctor (cc), 14. Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Callum Harkin Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Zach Gallagher, 20. Brad Shields (cc), 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Riley Hohepa, 23. Bailyn Sullivan Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. George Dyer, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Kaylum Boshier, 8. Luke Jacobson (c), 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Josh Jacomb, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Simon Parker, 21. Wallace Sititi, 22. Xavier Roe, 23. Gideon Wrampling Hurricanes selections No massive changes to Clark Laidlaw's side, as Ruben Love continues as a makeshift first five. His job certainly seems to be easier now with Riley Higgins and Billy Proctor outside him, as well as Kini Naholo's eye-catching form on the wing. The Canes still possess an outstanding front row rotation, with the luxury of being able to save Xavier Numia and Pasilio Tosi for later in the game. Chiefs selections McKenzie is still out injured, so Josh Jacomb starts again at 10. Cortez Ratima is inside him thanks to Clayton McMillan's Crusader-like system of halfback management, with Ratima and Xavier Roe swapping in and out on a weekly basis. Anton Lienert-Brown is out but Wallace Sititi's return continues with another bench role, expect that to change in the near future though. Key stats The Hurricanes have won their last two regular season games against the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific, after losing five in a row against them prior to that run. The Chiefs have won eight of their last 10 Super Rugby Pacific games including their last two in a row each by a margin of more than 30 points. Only twice in competition history has any team won three straight games by 30 points or more (Lions, Rd 13-15 in 2017 and Blues, Rd 6-9 in 2024). Kini Naholo has scored six tries across his last five Super Rugby Pacific games, including two in his most recent appearance. What they're saying "We respect where they are at. They are top of the table for a reason and have been in a number of finals, so their time is now by the looks of it." - Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw. "We've got a strong Hurricanes team waiting for us. They've made a shift during that performance against the Brumbies…we'll prepare accordingly and be ready when it's time to be ready." - Chiefs loose forward Wallace Sititi. The last time they met Chiefs 30 - 19 Hurricanes (Super Rugby Pacific 2024 semi-final) The game that probably cemented Sititi's rise to prominence as a superstar, the Chiefs broke the top of the table Hurricanes' hearts in crushing fashion in this semi-final. Almost everything went right for them as they shot out to a 17-0 lead early, built off the back of Sititi's pace and skill. The Chiefs then tackled their way to victory and a place in the final. What's going to happen A few weeks ago you'd think the Chiefs would be winning this easily, but the return of Higgins and Proctor to the Hurricanes lineup has and will continue to make a real difference. This one may well come down to who can dominate the scrum and therefore field position, however if this comes down to goal kicking then the Chiefs have the definite advantage. The wild weather that's rocked Wellington has dissipated, but both teams will have a breeze to contend with.
RNZ News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Hurricanes v Chiefs: what you need to know
Photo: PHOTOSPORT NZ Hurricanes v Chiefs Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 3 May Sky Stadium, Wellington Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport Two teams that not only have an intriguing history against one another, but also both come off two very good wins, go at it tonight at Sky Stadium. The Chiefs have the Crusaders breathing down their neck as they sit atop the table, however their 56-22 win over the Force last weekend without Damian McKenzie underlined their championship credentials. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes put on their best performance of the season with a 35-29 win over the Brumbies in Canberra. It stands as the only win so far by a New Zealand team on Australian soil this season. Cortez Ratima of the Chiefs celebrates a try during the Super Rugby Pacific Semi Final - Hurricanes v Chiefs at Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on 15 June, 2024. Photo: Photosport / Masanori Udagawa Hurricanes: 1. Tevita Mafileo, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brayden Iose, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Riley Higgins, 13. Billy Proctor (cc), 14. Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Callum Harkin Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Zach Gallagher, 20. Brad Shields (cc), 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Riley Hohepa, 23. Bailyn Sullivan Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. George Dyer, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Kaylum Boshier, 8. Luke Jacobson (c), 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Josh Jacomb, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Simon Parker, 21. Wallace Sititi, 22. Xavier Roe, 23. Gideon Wrampling Billy Proctor of the Hurricanes dives over to score. Photo: Masanori Udagawa No massive changes to Clark Laidlaw's side, as Ruben Love continues as a makeshift first five. His job certainly seems to be easier now with Riley Higgins and Billy Proctor outside him, as well as Kini Naholo's eye-catching form on the wing. The Canes still possess an outstanding front row rotation, with the luxury of being able to save Xavier Numia and Pasilio Tosi for later in the game. Chiefs forward Wallace Sititi in action during their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Hurricanes. Photo: photosport McKenzie is still out injured, so Josh Jacomb starts again at 10. Cortez Ratima is inside him thanks to Clayton McMillan's Crusader-like system of halfback management, with Ratima and Xavier Roe swapping in and out on a weekly basis. Anton Lienert-Brown is out but Wallace Sititi's return continues with another bench role, expect that to change in the near future though. Kini Naholo. Photo: John Cowpland/Actionpress The Hurricanes have won their last two regular season games against the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific, after losing five in a row against them prior to that run. The Chiefs have won eight of their last 10 Super Rugby Pacific games including their last two in a row each by a margin of more than 30 points. Only twice in competition history has any team won three straight games by 30 points or more (Lions, Rd 13-15 in 2017 and Blues, Rd 6-9 in 2024). Kini Naholo has scored six tries across his last five Super Rugby Pacific games, including two in his most recent appearance. "We respect where they are at. They are top of the table for a reason and have been in a number of finals, so their time is now by the looks of it." - Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw. "We've got a strong Hurricanes team waiting for us. They've made a shift during that performance against the Brumbies…we'll prepare accordingly and be ready when it's time to be ready." - Chiefs loose forward Wallace Sititi. Chiefs 30 - 19 Hurricanes (Super Rugby Pacific 2024 semi-final) The game that probably cemented Sititi's rise to prominence as a superstar, the Chiefs broke the top of the table Hurricanes' hearts in crushing fashion in this semi-final. Almost everything went right for them as they shot out to a 17-0 lead early, built off the back of Sititi's pace and skill. The Chiefs then tackled their way to victory and a place in the final. A few weeks ago you'd think the Chiefs would be winning this easily, but the return of Higgins and Proctor to the Hurricanes lineup has and will continue to make a real difference. This one may well come down to who can dominate the scrum and therefore field position, however if this comes down to goal kicking then the Chiefs have the definite advantage. The wild weather that's rocked Wellington has dissipated, but both teams will have a breeze to contend with.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brumbies suffer costly Super Rugby loss to Hurricanes
The ACT Brumbies have blown a golden chance to maintain contact with the Super Rugby Pacific ladder leaders after an upset loss to the Hurricanes in Canberra. The third-placed Brumbies hadn't lost at home to the Hurricanes, who sit eighth on the table, since 2017 and had won five of their past six clashes. But they couldn't catch the men from Wellington, going down in a thriller 35-29 on Saturday. Burly Hurricanes winger Kini Naholo steamrolled his rivals to score two tries in a stand-out performance in the capital. Not gonna stop him 😤#SuperRugbyPacific #BRUvHUR — Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 26, 2025 Australia's top-ranked side started well, with skipper Allan Alaalatoa burrowing his way over the line in the eighth minute. But in keeping with the theme of the night, each time they scored the visitors answered with a try of their own. Centre Billy Proctor was first across the tryline, running on to a massive cut-out pass from Callum Harkin, followed up by Ngantungane Punivai to give the Hurricanes a 10-5 lead. Brumbies flanker Luke Reimer then sniffed out a try, only for Naholo to hit back three minutes later after some neat lead-up work by Ruben Love and Harkin, with the Hurricanes taking a 20-15 lead into halftime. With the Brumbies only managing 32 per cent of possession and 23 per cent of territory, they had to work for every point, but newly re-signed Len Ikitau came up trumps with the first try of the second half. But Naholo used his speed and brute strength to cut a swathe through the Brumbies defence, and his team were out to an eight-point lead, which soon became 13 thanks to Punivai's second. In typical Brumbies fashion they kept coming and were eventually rewarded with winger Andy Muirhead crossing in the corner in the 70th minute, with Noah Lolesio adding the extras from the sideline. The home side had plenty of time to score the winning try, but a series of poor decisions and errors proved costly.
