He then had the coolness of mind to use that knowledge in the heat of a match, allowing him to skip past bemused Highlanders defenders for the touchdown.<\/p>\n
Barrett showed why his preferred position is second five-eighths with a classy, measured display.<\/p>\n
Hurricanes midfielder Jordie Barrett was in sharp form against the Highlanders. Photo \/ SmartFrame<\/p>\n
Read the sign<\/p>\n
Hurricanes first five-eighths Ruben Love, short of holding up a neon sign saying \u2018Pick me\u2019, could hardly have done more to advance his national chances. His tactical kicking was shrewd and accurate<\/a>, and his running and passing presented a constant threat.<\/p>\n The loss of prop Tyrel Lomax to injury is a blow for the Canes but they have enough resources to continue to be the form New Zealand team in the competition.<\/p>\n At the Highlanders, though, coach Jamie Joseph will be deeply concerned with a lineout that was chronically inept.<\/p>\n Game of the round<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t the result Kiwi supporters, especially those in Chiefs territory, would have wanted, but for excitement, how could you go past the Brumbies\u2019 last-gasp 33-24 victory over the Chiefs<\/a>? <\/p>\n Having suggested three weeks ago that the days of treating Aussie Super teams as poor cousins might be past, it was still remarkable to see the Brumbies\u2019 commitment and courage as they fought back from 24-7 down in the last 20 minutes.<\/p>\n The Chiefs remain a formidable outfit, much better than their sixth place indicates, but the Brumbies played the way they did when coach Stephen Larkham was running the show at first-five.<\/p>\n There was some dazzling rugby from the Chiefs in the first half, which made the recovery by the Brumbies even more impressive.<\/p>\n The team\u2019s coolness was an on-field reflection of Larkham\u2019s unflappable personality, which saw him nicknamed Bernie by his Aussie teammates.<\/p>\n They reckoned he was about as emotional and easily rattled as the deceased eponymous character in 1980s comedy Weekend at Bernie\u2019s. <\/p>\n Class up front<\/p>\n Those of us who regard the players who graft in the front row as the heart and soul of most teams found it hugely fitting that the record for most Super Rugby games has passed from one prop to another. <\/p>\n Brumbies prop James Slipper played his 203rd Super game on Friday night, overtaking the record previously held by Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett. <\/p>\n At 36, Slipper also has 151 tests to his credit. The mind boggles at how many scrums he\u2019s packed down in at training and in games.<\/p>\n The pain goes on<\/p>\n It took time for the Crusaders to take command of their game against Moana Pasifika in Albany. After half an hour, Moana were leading 14-12.<\/p>\n But then the Crusaders shifted gears and the final score of 50-21<\/a> was slightly deceiving, given that an intercept try for Siaosi Nginingini three minutes from time advanced Moana\u2019s tally when the match was basically over.<\/p>\n Moana don\u2019t lack courage or enterprise but the Crusaders\u2019 talent pool was just too deep.<\/p>\n Men of the match<\/p>\n Leicester Fainga\u2019anuku had his best game since returning from Europe. <\/p>\n His introduction off the bench for the Crusaders six minutes into the second spell was as electrifying as plugging straight into the national grid.<\/p>\n There\u2019s plenty of physicality and courage in the Moana ranks but Fainga\u2019anuku lifted the game to a different level.<\/p>\n It will be fascinating to see what role there will surely be for him in the All Blacks. Fainga\u2019anuku\u2019s play was hugely exciting and dramatic.<\/p>\n Just as important for the Crusaders was the gritty leadership shown by Ethan Blackadder from blindside flanker. In a textbook display of what a coach wants from someone wearing the No 6 jersey, he was relentless and accurate.<\/p>\n Moment of the game<\/p>\n As well as Slipper\u2019s new record for appearances, a lasting memory provided by a front rower came in the 52nd minute at Albany when All Blacks and Crusaders prop Fletcher Newell sprinted almost 30m with the ball in a run many backs would have been happy to own.<\/p>\n Bless English rugby<\/p>\n Paul Lewis\u2019 entertaining column on England\u2019s show-pony flanker Henry Pollock was a reminder that when it comes to odd behaviour, it\u2019s hard to find a richer source than English rugby.<\/p>\n Pollock\u2019s entitled antics in his team\u2019s loss to France were irritating but thankfully also laughable.<\/p>\n They\u2019re also hardly unique. At Old Trafford in 1997, the All Blacks beat England 25-8. England did a lap of honour.<\/a><\/p>\nBrumbies fans show their appreciation for prop James Slipper. Photo \/ SmartFrame<\/p>\n
Crusaders winger Chay Fihaki goes over for his second try against Moana Pasifika. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n