Christian Cullen: Pack can drive Canes to title

Conrad Smith of the Hurricanes celebrates his try with teammate Callum Gibbins during their defeat of the Chiefs at Yarrow Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

It's funny. When Wellington crashed last year with Chris Boyd as coach, I really didn't feel too confident about him taking over the Hurricanes.

I didn't know what to expect but I didn't hold out much hope. And here I am now, prepared to put everything on the line and say the Hurricanes can win the Super Rugby title. I don't want to sit on the fence. That's what so many Hurricanes fans want to do because history tells them to be nervous about this point of the season regardless of form so far.

But the only team I was worried about was the Crusaders. If they'd made the playoffs, there would have been a bit of concern.

From a Hurricanes perspective - as a fan - I am relieved the Crusaders haven't made it, with the form they were beginning to show with Daniel Carter back in his best position at first-five.

But with them gone, I'm going to sit back and enjoy the Hurricanes' ride. If they can turn up in the semifinals with their heads in the right place, and if the forwards deliver as they have done all season, then there is no question they are good enough to win this competition.

The big difference this year, and what is fuelling my confidence, is the consistency of the tight five. At the start of the campaign, everyone could see the Hurricanes had a million-dollar backline and that their loose forwards were athletic and mobile and could be competitive at the breakdown and support the play out wide.

It was the tight five, though, who needed to come good and they have. And then some.

Led by James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Jeremy Thrush and Ben Franks, they have been impressive. They have done all the basics well and been the driving force of the team.

The backs have been able to play so well because the quality of possession has been so good. They have also benefited from the form of Ma'a Nonu and his combination with Conrad Smith.

Nonu has been in the form of his career. He's had his ups and downs but at heart he's a Wellington boy and you can see how much it means to him to be back with the Hurricanes for one last campaign.

When he first came into the team, I saw him as a mini-Tana. He had that same explosive running style, that same desire to get the ball and take on the defence. He's grown so much as a player and person since and I hear he's been superb this season at mentoring the new boys.

At the moment, you'd have to say it will be an easy choice for the All Blacks selectors to pick him ahead of Sonny Bill Williams.

That's at the moment. Nonu has been the form second-five of the competition while Williams has been injured. I'd love to see them facing off in the final.