Why the Hurricanes' hopes of success in Super Rugby Aotearoa rest on the shoulders of two men
When the Hurricanes roll out against the Blues at Eden Park on Sunday, expect plenty of fireworks from both sides.
Not just because both sides are loaded with talent across the board, but because it’s set to be former Hurricanes playmaker Beauden Barrett’s debut game for the Blues.
Up until the surprise arrival of Dan Carter at the Auckland franchise, it’s been a storyline that has dominated headlines leading into Super Rugby Aotearoa, and the Hurricanes have a challenge on their hands if they’re to overcome the presence of Barrett on the ‘wrong’ side of the park.
For all the ability they have throughout their squad, trying to replace the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year has presented a significant challenge in itself.
Through current first-fives Fletcher Smith, Jackson Garden-Bachop and James Marshall, they have three solid options with varying degrees of experience, but none wield the exceptional capabilities that Barrett can muster.
His absence was compounded even before the season kicked-off when head coach John Plumtree was picked up by Ian Foster to join his coaching staff at the All Blacks, forcing the sudden promotion of assistant coach Jason Holland.
Add to that star All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea’s lengthy injury lay-off and it’s easy to understand why the Hurricanes had such a rough time of things in the opening weekend of the competition.
An error-ridden 27-0 thumping at the hands of the Stormers in Cape Town was a result few saw coming, marking a disastrous start to Holland’s tenure as new Hurricanes boss.
To their credit, though, a string of compelling performances against the Jaguares, Sharks and Sunwolves made for an impressive recovery effort in the ensuing rounds.
That was before a Tyrel Lomax red card led to a 24-15 home defeat to the Blues, but a last-gasp 27-24 win over the Chiefs the following week proved the Hurricanes still had plenty of fight in them.
Holland’s men haven’t played since that three-point victory in Hamilton nearly three months ago, but he’ll again be looking to one man who proved himself as the key figure in three of his side’s wins before the coronavirus-enforced suspension.
Without his older brother pulling the strings in the backline, Jordie Barrett has been forced to take on a bigger leadership role within the franchise set-up, acting as one of only three All Blacks in the Hurricanes’ backline.
Beauden’s departure to Auckland has seen the younger Barrett assume goal kicking duties, a responsibility which he’s flourished with.
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Having accrued 42 points from the tee this year, his value as an accurate long range goal kicker became apparent in the 26-23 win over the Jaguares, where he slotted a mammoth 63-metre penalty attempt at Buenos Aires.
Not only was it an eye-catching nudge from well beyond halfway, it was crucial in the context of the match as the visitors only escaped with a three-point win.
A composed display against the Sharks further illustrated his reliability off the boot and in general play, but it was against the Chiefs where he really shined when pitted up against fellow All Blacks fullback Damian McKenzie.
In what was virtually a head-to-head clash for the national No. 15 jersey, Barrett’s superior physical dominance was complemented by a mature display of good decision-making and settled playmaking.
The 84th minute penalty he landed from 40 metres out to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat was the icing on the cake to show how he is thriving with the extra responsibility thrust upon him without Beauden’s presence.
It’ll be interesting, then, to see how Jordie, who could well be the frontrunner to land the All Blacks’ fullback position, fares against his older brother when the pair face off on Sunday – provided he’s able to shake off a shoulder niggle in time.
Injuries are expected to keep two key All Blacks out of the opening round of Super Rugby Aotearoa, with one player reported to be out of action for a lengthy period.https://t.co/WNCMIAwTl0
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 9, 2020
The anticipated return of Savea should make Jordie and his teammate’s lives much easier, though, with the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year nominee expected to be fit for action after undergoing knee surgery late last year.
You’d be hard pressed to find anyone in New Zealand who is so powerful with ball in hand, able to stay on his feet when going into the tackle and possesses such a monumental leg drive.
It’s those qualities, combined with a supreme on-field work ethic and an unquenchable thirst for action, that made Savea the best player in the country last year, and his return will only bolster the Hurricanes’ title-winning chances.
Those chances will only remain intact should the club’s co-captains Dane Coles and TJ Perenara somehow develop an element of in-game composure.
As shown in their last outing against the Blues, the duo were guilty of floundering under pressure when the tide started turning against them, with one-upping the opposition and referee instead taking precedence.
While Lomax was sent off and the two further yellow cards undoubtedly aided the Blues’ ride to victory, the lack of level-headedness and leadership by the Hurricanes co-captains hurt their side’s chances beyond repair.
There’s no argument to be made about the playing quality of the pair, but both Coles and Perenara need to keep their mettle when they’re put under the pump, as they will be throughout Super Rugby Aotearoa, if they’re to even think about challenging for the Kiwi crown.
With Barrett and Savea on board, though, it would be unwise to rule Holland’s side – which features the promising Du’Plessis Kirifi, barnstorming Asafo Aumua and Ngani Laumape, who still has a point to prove after missing out on World Cup selection – out of the running entirely.
Beauden and the Blues will surely have something to say about that come Sunday.
Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe 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
11 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.
11 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
55 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.
18 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.
18 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 comments