t halftime, using an 11-2 burst late in the period to

If the Hurricanes are to claim their first Super Rugby title their young pack is going to have to come through a genuine trial against a very good Lions unit trying to do the same thing.The Hurricanes have a young pack, but theyve stepped up this season. The Lions, on the other hand, are a pretty powerful, gnarly forward unit -- that will be where the Johannesburg side target the Hurricanes.Its a massive ask for both teams and while they have home advantage, I dont think it is going to be a walkover for the Hurricanes; they are going to have to work for it.They will have the support of all New Zealanders, pretty much the whole country has dropped the boundaries of their usual support - its a New Zealand team versus a South African team and New Zealanders will be hoping they can do it.Im sure theyve been through the loss of last years final and learned plenty from it, which makes winning all the more desirable.The Lions took it to the Highlanders and punished them at times up front in their semifinal, and if you can get that ascendancy in the big games and out-muscle the opposition you get on the front foot. Any physical battle saps energy out of players, no matter who they are, and it is a big ask for the Hurricanes if they are to claim the title.It will also be a big ask for Dane Coles if he is not 100 percent fit. If he does get onto the field he will feel his ribs in the tight, combative scrums and around the rucks. If hes not 100 percent right, he has got to make the decision with his teams interests at heart. And if youre not fit enough to start, youre not fit enough to be on the bench either.Theres not a lot you can do about the ribs. You cant hide them and it is about coping with the pain.I thought Ricci Riccitelli did a great job coming in for Coles. He put his hand up and was full of energy. He did everything you would ask of someone who had come into a side in that situation.To me the Hurricanes were excited against the Chiefs. They were at home. A few Chiefs errors went their way early on and the Hurricanes just kept growing in confidence. They certainly look like a champion side. Its all there for the taking if they can front up.Beauden Barrett is absolute class. He made another real statement at the weekend to say not only am I one of the best players in the competition but I am going to lead the Hurricanes to the final. He also made a statement to Steve Hansen when marking Aaron Cruden and out-playing him; nothing against Cruden, he didnt do anything wrong. Barrett was just that much better.He has that electric pace and can create something from nothing. Hes got so much skill and so much pace to back it up. Hes got to be the starting 10 for the All Blacks.There was a foundation laid down by the Hurricanes grafters and while Barrett led the charge a player like Victor Vito performed like a guy who realises his days are numbered and he looks like he wants to leave his imprint on the Hurricanes. Hes now got one more game to step up and prove himself after playing really well at the weekend. His effort was backed up by Brad Shields and Ardie Savea.Savea had a great game up against Sam Cane who made a few costly errors and mistakes, and it showed in his frustrations.Remember, we dont get All Blacks trials anymore so these games are as good as you are going to get in closer match-ups. And we had that on display at the weekend on the flank, at half-back at fly-half, in midfield and at fullback.TJ Perenaras return to form was probably what pushed Damian McKenzie out of the All Blacks because they have to take three half-backs and Perenara said: You cant leave me out, Im playing that well. In my mind, he is clearly the second-best half-back and has shown that in his form.A combative player, Perenara is everything you want in a No.9 and is on top of his game; that is one of the reasons the Hurricanes are where they are right now. With the level of energy he has he creates the tempo the game is played at. Theyre humming.I was disappointed for the Highlanders, theyve had a really tough run for the last three or four weeks with all the travel theyve had. Theyre a better side than the way they finished up. The Lions grew in confidence playing in front of their home crowd; they threw the ball around and played a style of rugby that is really encouraging.And thats why Super Rugby got its name; we want to see teams throw the ball around; we want to see an exciting brand of rugby and Im really pleased to see the Lions embrace that. You would hope the other South African sides can see the Lions because I am sure they will have a fair percentage of the Springboks and that should send the message.You look at their inside-back partnership of half-back Faf du Plessis and fly-half Elton Jantjies. Du Plessis is such an electric, exciting player and he dictates the pace and Jantjies looks like a Carlos Spencer in his style and it is obvious that Carlos has coached him and had some influence -- he just oozes confidence.Hes someone at Springboks level who could take South Africa to a whole new level. Thats exciting for them especially with the talent they have in and around those key positions where youve got players like flanker Jaco Kriel and centre Lionel Mapoe. Theyre powerful and you dont often see guys like Ben Smith miss a tackle, but you could see that Kriel is powerful and a hard man to stop.The travel will be a factor in the final. You do put it out of your mind and half the battle is convincing yourself theres no problem; but the reality is the Hurricanes are not suffering any disruptions. Theyre sleeping in their own beds and preparing themselves in the best way they can.South African teams have always struggled in New Zealand and therell be no bigger game than coming for a final. But its different level stuff and the closest you are going to get to a Test match.Having been in finals before, which the Hurricanes have, is important. It is the first time for the Lions. Vito is the perfect person to reinforce that significance because hes played in a final; hes been part of two World Cup wins; hes playing his 100th game and it is his last Super Rugby start. So you would look to him to provide some guidance to the younger players.Its uncharted territory for the Lions and it will show the cut of the cloth of their players and whether they have what it takes to step up to the next level.Ultimately, it all comes down to on the day and who wants it most. Buy Cheap Kd . 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Young formally announced his retirement Friday after returning to Rangers Ballpark, his baseball home for all but the last of his 13 major league seasons. Kd Shoes On Sale . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. Kd Shoes Clearance .Y. -- Marcell Dareus and the Buffalo Bills defence made life miserable for Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. BOULDER, Colo. -- Emmanuel Omogbo scored 15 points, Nico Carvacho had 14 points, and Colorado State beat Colorado 72-58 on Wednesday night to win their fourth straight game.Devocio Butler added 13 points for Colorado State (6-1), which picked up its first road win of the season while handing its intrastate rival its first home loss of the season.Derrick White scored 17 points to lead Colorado (5-2), which shot 32.2 percent from the field. The Buffaloes made only three of 19 3-pointers while the Rams were 6 of 15 from beyond the arc.Building on a three-point halftime lead, the Rams got 3-pointers from Omogbo and Carvacho to help them pull out to a 40-31 lead.Colorado managed to narrow the gap but Colorado State kept hitting their free throws, including a pair by Che Bob with 4:35 left that gave the Rams a 56-49 lead.Moments later, J.D. Paige connected on a 3-pointer as part of a 7-0 spurt that pushed Colorado States lead to 63-51 with 2:22 remaining and the Buffaloes did not threaten after that.The Rams led 30-27 at halftime, using an 11-2 burst late in the period to surge in froont after trailing for most of the opening half.dddddddddddd Omogbo fueled the surge, hitting a pair of free throws and making a dunk and a 3-pointer.BIG PICTUREColorado State: The Rams, who lost four of five starters from last seasons team, got a confidence-boosting victory with a rare win over Colorado at the Coors Events Center. It was the 126th meeting between the schools and Colorado holds an 89-37 edge in the series. It was Colorado States ninth win at Colorado in 62 games in Boulder.Colorado: It was a tough outing for the Buffaloes, who never seemed to find their offensive rhythm. It remains to be seen whether it was an aberration after a solid start to the season.UP NEXTColorado State: Comes off the road to begin a three-game home stand on Saturday against Wichita State.Colorado: Will try to rebound on the road, traveling to Portland University for a Saturday night game against the Pilots, who are coming off a win against Cal State Northridge. ' ' '