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The sooner test rugby returns for Sam Cane, the better.
Because the All Blacks captain’s losing streak is dragging on, following the Bay of Plenty’s 36-29 loss to Beauden and Jordie Barrett’s Taranaki in Inglewood on Sunday.
Since March 6, when the Chiefs defeated the Waratahs in Wollongong, Cane did not taste victory, with Hamilton’s team losing 10 straight games in Super Rugby and Super Rugby Aotearoa in a terrible year.
Playing at No. 8 in his first match for the Bay of Plenty since 2016, Cane played the entire match, but could only watch as new All Black Tupou Vaa’i scored twice as the hosts captured the Chiefs Country and Peter Burke cups. .
READ MORE:
* Miter 10 Cup – All Blacks captain Sam Cane will start at number 8 for Bay of Plenty
* Brothers Barrett Beauden and Jordie will start with Taranaki against Bay of Plenty
* Beauden Barrett in doubt for the return of the Miter 10 Cup as the All Blacks are thrown to the provinces
* From the construction of fences to the national convocation: Tupou Vaa’i becomes the first All Black born in the 2000s
Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images
All Blakcs captain Sam Cane played his first game with the Bay of Plenty since 2016 on Sunday.
Making his Taranaki debut four years after starting his provincial career with Canterbury, Jordie scored the game-sealing try and kicked three conversions and a penalty in a game as both sides struggled to secure their own ball at the lineout.
Brother Beauden, who played his first game for the Ambers and Blacks since 2012, ran the cutter without producing any notable magic in his 62 minutes, but snatched the ball from Cane early in the game.
He also cooked twice as many kicks in the overall game, costing him territory and possession at his side.
Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images
Taranaki fullback Jordie Barrett
Not that the newly promoted Bay of Plenty could make chances count, as they racked up just three points in the second half before a late attempt by Fa’asiu Fuatai secured them an extra losing point.
They were within two points, 24-22, when Otere Black struck a penalty in the 46th minute, only for the hosts to possibly produce the try of the young season.
Vaa’i ran a line peach to claim the five points, but it’s what happened before, a sweeping move with multiple shots, that made it memorable.
Jordie’s attempt in the 70th minute, after a good discharge from wing Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, put the game out of reach.
The Barrett brothers made their presence felt in just the third minute, uncorking a counterattack from deep within their own half to set up Vaa’i’s first attempt.
Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images
Beauden Barrett throws a pass in his first game to Taranaki since 2012.
Vaa’i did well to hold on to a hard volley and launch from 22 yards, after the Barretts punished a poor punt from Dan Hollinshead.
But, playing against their former team for the first time, Steamers running back Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and blocking Keepa Mewett responded with attempts to cheer on the visitors.
Moments after Cane illegally denied him a try, Taranaki’s hooker Ricky Riccitelli dived from a smart line move down the short side to block it, before Jordie nailed a long-range penalty goal.
While BOP fullback Emoni Narawa temporarily gave his team the lead once again, it did not last as referee Ben O’Keeffe awarded the hosts a penalty, a result of Riccitelli again being illegally stopped during a lineout.
To make matters worse, Aaron Carroll received a yellow card for the infraction when Taranaki took a 24-19 lead towards the sheds.
Taranaki 36 (Tupou Vaa’i 2, Ricky Riccitelli, Jordie Barrett tries; Jordie Barrett 3 penalty attempt scam, pen) Bay of Plenty 29 (Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Keepa Mewett, Emoni Narawa, Fa’asiu Fuatai tries; Dan Hollinshead 2 with, Otere Black pen, with). HT: 24-19
MVP Points: Tupou Vaa’i 3, Jordie Barrett 2, Lachlan Boshier 1
