Hurricanes title window is still open - Super Rugby 2018 Preview
The title defence didn’t quite go the way the Hurricanes wanted in 2017.
One decent half away from their third consecutive final, the Wellington-based franchise collapsed against the Lions conceding 34 second-half points to end their championship encore.
The team finished with a 12-3 record – one of their best ever – but they relinquished the top spot in the conference to the Crusaders and were swept by the Chiefs in their two derbies. It was a successful year, but it won’t satisfy those in the organisation who know that the team is in the middle of its greatest era – the time is now to win titles.
Having locked up Barrett for three years in 2016, re-signing TJ Perenara last year for another four years was critical in retaining the team’s spine. Perenara and Barrett at 25 and 26-years-old respectively, hold the hopes of the franchise having held the starting halves positions since 2012.
While the World Rugby Player of the Year is in his prime, the Hurricanes have a decent chance. Barrett has transformed into Super Rugby’s most dangerous man over the last two seasons. It’s hard to believe in 2015 he had just two try assists – in the last two seasons he has the most of any player with 21.
Of greater concern will be how Dane Coles recovers from off-season surgery after being derailed in 2017 by injuries. If the 31-year-old can return to regular game time, the dynamic hooker will lead a pack that includes breakout star Vaea Fifita and hometown favourite Ardie Savea.
All Blacks debutant Asafo Aumua may see time off the bench if Coles isn’t healthy. The Hurricanes coaches will need to weigh up impact over stability when determining who gets the bench role, deciding whether or not to unleash Aumua or stick with the reliable Riccitelli.
Vince Aso and Ngani Laumape stole headlines in 2017 with their try-scoring feats, but it is easily forgotten that Matt Proctor was having a career year before injury. All three will be back in a strong Canes midfield. Fullbacks Milner-Skudder and Jordie Barrett will be looking to come back stronger from injury, and no player has more riding on 2017 than Julian Savea.
The Hurricanes have an embarrassment of riches in the backs, the main concern will be whether the young pack can set the platform. A number of rising young players could be called upon to start – Alex Fidow, Isaia Walker-Leawere and Reed Prinsep.
Unheralded players such as Brad Shields, James Blackwell, Chris Eves and Blade Thompson will provide valuable roles.
The Hurricanes will be tested this year, but if they don’t make the finals we will be shocked. Their toughest opponents will be the road trip to South Africa and the Crusaders.
2018 Predictions
NZ Conference Placing: 2nd
Player of the Year: Beauden Barrett
Rookie of the Year: Asafo Aumua
Breakout Player of the Year: Reed Prinsep
Best Signing: Gareth Evans
Franchise History
Best finish: Champions in 2016
Worst finish: Eleventh in 2004 and 2013
Squad Movements
In: Asafo Aumua (Wellington), Jamie Booth (Manawatu), Finlay Christie (Chiefs), Murray Douglas (Rebels), Gareth Evans (Highlanders), Alex Fidow (Wellington), Jackson Garden-Bachop (Rebels), Sam Henwood (Counties Manukau), Johan Lowe (Hawke’s Bay), Toby Smith (Rebels), Thomas Va’a (Wellington), Isaia Walker-Leawere (Wellington), Ihaia West (Blues).
Out: Mark Abbott (Red Sparks), Pita Ahki (Connacht), Leni Apisai (Blues), Otere Black (Blues), James Broadhurst (retired), Geoffrey Cridge (Hawke’s Bay), Callum Gibbins (Glasgow), Toa Halafihi (Lyon), Cory Jane (Brave Lupus), James O’Reilly (Wellington), Kylem O’Donnell (Taranaki), Hugh Renton (Hawke’s Bay), Chris Smylie (North Harbour), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Chiefs), Loni Uhila (Clermont).
Squad: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Eves, Alex Fidow, Reg Goodes, Ben May, Toby Smith, Jeffery To’omaga-Allen, James Blackwell, Murray Douglas, Michael Fatialofa, Sam Lousi, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Gareth Evans, Vaea Fifita, Sam Henwood, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Blade Thomson, Jamie Booth, Finlay Christie, Thomas Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Thomas Va’a, Ihaia West, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen, Ben Lam, Jonah Lowe, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments