Wynne Gray: Hammett pins hopes on team skill

Conrad Smith. Photo / Getty Images

Coaches need to encourage their players, nurture and inspire them to achieve their potential.

Sometimes that requires a sharp word in private, perhaps a soothing appraisal and, invariably, a resolute attitude in the face of any criticism.

Those sparring contests are the game within the game as the public and media make their own assessments. In the capital, it is Hammer Time. Coach Mark Hammett has delivered an optimistic prediction about his fourth season in charge.

His continued work as Hurricanes coach needs success this season after an ugly run of 9th, 8th and 11th finishes under his command. Hammett has begun with a vocal flourish.

"I think the youth we had in our team three years ago [has] now gained a lot of experience as both international and Super Rugby players, and I'm confident that group of players will step up this season," he said.

Hammett has underpinned his opinion by picking 26 players who turned out for the Canes last year. He has a squad with 10 All Blacks, smart captain Conrad Smith and some explosive young talent.

The propping resources have strengthened but there still looks a lack of tight-five quality to unleash the backrow and backline excitement, while the Canes' average concession of 28 points a game last season has to be fixed.

The probe will be immediate and heavy duty.

The Canes begin offshore against the Sharks and Stormers who are perhaps the best of the South African sides while the Canes were nobbled by injury before they left. Victor Vito and Brad Shields were lost to the loose forwards, Tim Bateman and Matt Proctor from the backline.

Inspection will go up a notch for individuals. TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett are seriously talented and can mock any defences with their skills, but their ability to run games and dominate will depend on some tight-five substance.

Smith has his old comrade Cory Jane on one flank and Julian Savea on the other to bring their variety of venom with new man Marty Banks, offering his eclectic approach from the back. Top drawer backs but what ball will they get?

The All Black selectors have put their mark on Ardie Savea as a gifted loose forward they think can reach the top. In his short career he has shown rare instincts and uncanny power to go with his flexible frame.

If he can get in the swing with Vito and Shields, the Canes' enterprise factor goes up several notches.

The front-five foundation is the worry. If it shifts and flakes that impacts on the rest of the crew. Enterprise, fortune and individual skill will deliver highlights for the Hurricanes; the problem will be filling out a feature-length image.