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The title defence didn’t quite go the way the Hurricanes wanted in 2017.
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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.
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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.
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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
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments