‘We want to win it’: Why the next two games are ‘massive’ for the Hurricanes
With the end of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season in sight, there are about five teams battling it for home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
If you crunch the numbers, you’ll see that five doesn’t fit into four – by the time the finals roll around, one of these competitive teams will need to keep their season alive away from home.
The Hurricanes, who currently sit outside the top four in fifth place, will do whatever they can to ensure that they surge up the ladder in rounds 14 and 15.
Following their 23-12 loss to the ladder-leading Chiefs in torrential conditions at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium last weekend, the Canes are preparing for two season-defining fixtures.
The team from the capital will travel north to Auckland this week ahead of their clash with the fourth-placed Blues on Saturday evening.
Then, exactly one week on, the Hurricanes will host the second-placed Crusaders at Wellington’s Sky Stadium in the final round of the regular season.
If this was English Football – or if you’re familiar with the following phrase, you’ll understand the significance of these games – these New Zealand derbies would be considered six-pointers.
It doesn’t get much bigger in the regular season.
With the ladder as tight as it currently is, Hurricanes flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi said the next two games are “massive” for the Hurricanes as they look to clinch finals footy in Wellington.
“It’s huge for us,” Kirifi told RugbyPass. “The Chiefs are clear and I can’t really see anyone catching them but for the next four or five teams, we’re all four, five, six points apart.
“For us to pick up… 10 points, nine points, eight points from the last two games would just be massive in terms of what the finals look like for us and easing a little bit of stress.
“If we’re down the ladder we’re going to have to travel for three weeks in a row if we want to win the whole thing.
“Massive last two games for us, and we knew we were going to be in this situation at the start of the season. We knew that it was going to be a tough run home for us.
“I guess that’s why we’ve worked so hard to pick up points against every other team.”
But, as cliché as it might seem, the Hurricanes will surely be taking it one game at a time ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs.
While the excitement and anticipation for a blockbuster Hurricanes versus Crusaders clash in the final round is already starting to brew, the focus has to be on the Blues.
The Hurricanes started their season with two promising wins across the ditch, but were undone in round three by Beauden Barrett and co at Sky Stadium.
With a chance to win it at the death, the Canes fell painfully short of what would’ve been a crucial win for the team – instead, they fell to a 19-25 defeat.
But the past is the past, and that can’t be changed. March feels like an eternity ago now, and the Hurricanes will be eager to “rectify a few things” at Eden Park.
“Blues this week, it’s going to be a massive game up at Eden Park. They’re gong well as well, they’re probably in a similar position to us, they want to finish strongly,” he added.
“We’ll be looking to rectify a few of the things we didn’t quite nail last time we played them.
“Looking forward to the challenge and looking forward to a little bit of niggle that those boys have to offer. The boys love playing the Blues because we’re quite close with a few of them.
“They offer something different from a lot of other teams, they’re quite a razzley outfit and as a player you like to come up against those kind of things and see how you stack up.
“Hopefully we get the job done.”
After losing to the Blues in early March, the Hurricanes went on a four-game unbeaten streak ahead of their first meeting with the high flying Chiefs.
Returning to Wellington, the Canes raced out to a commanding led – but a Damian McKenzie masterclass helped the Hamilton-based franchise claw their way back.
The Hurricanes lost that fixture, and have since been beaten the Fijian Drua and the Chiefs for a second time.
“I would say as a group we’re happy, we’re not chuffed though.
“Those first two games, we dropped one against the Blues, which we had an opportunity to win on full time and we didn’t. That was really disappointing.
“The first game against the Chiefs, we were in control of that game and just through various reasons we let that one slop so again, a very disappointing end to that game.
“For the rest of the season, I think we’ve picked up points where we’ve needed to, bar the Drua game – which was ridiculously tough.
“Other than those various games, we’ve been going well, the coaches are doing an awesome job and creating good habits within the group.
“Us as leaders are doing a great job at leading by example through the year and setting high standards. We’ve got a great group, coaches, management and players.
“This is probably one of the most enjoyable years so far, not just because we’re winning, more so because we’re just so in sync with each other and hopefully it keeps going that way.
“We want to win it at the end of the year and if we don’t I know that we’re heading in the right direction as a group.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Not good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
11 Go to comments