Cooper still waiting for 'Canes to explode

Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper is waiting for his team to explode.

Cooper knows the Hurricanes have it in them to unleash something special at any stage on their Super 14 rivals.

No one would be happier than Cooper if they showed their full hand on Sunday against the Highlanders in Dunedin when the Hurricanes strive to maintain their push towards the semifinals.

They have played indifferently this season but still still head into the 10th round sitting in fourth place, seven points shy of the leading Crusaders.

Refreshed after coming off a bye, the Hurricanes are well positioned to nab a playoffs berth but Cooper knows nothing can be taken for granted.

Tough away matches await against the Brumbies and Waratahs, while sandwiched between those game are home fixtures against the Chiefs and lowly Reds.

Cooper has been content with his side's progress this season but knows improvements are needed for the Hurricanes to remain credible playoff contenders.

"We are progressing. We still haven't performed for 80 minutes but we've shown glimpses of very good form," he said.

"We've shown some very good signs but it comes back to that consistency, I guess.

"As a group we have not played a consistent 80 minutes yet."

The Hurricanes have hit their straps just the once, an outstanding second-half performance earning them five tries and a 37-19 win over the Blues in the opening round.

"That second half was pretty superb and it really clicked for us," Cooper said.

"I know when this team clicks and get it right that they'll be very hard to beat."

The availability of former All Black Tana Umaga will greatly assist the team's cause against the Highlanders.

Umaga has not played for the Hurricanes for nearly five weeks due to a knee injury, and eased his way back last weekend by playing at club level for Petone.

The physical second five-eighths is much more than a midfield enforcer; he offers wise counsel in the heat of battle, too.

"He will strengthen our decision-making, along with the team's self-belief," Cooper said.

The coach suggested the Hurricanes were hit harder than generally appreciated by the injuries to Umaga and All Black centre Conrad Smith.

The experience they offered was crucial at this level.

"Look at the Brumbies and Crusaders. Their big strengths over the years have been having big decision-makers who are experienced," Cooper said.

"We've got a first-five in his second year [Jimmy Gopperth] and lost two All Black midfielders.

"We're having to grow what is quite a young backline and that comes back to decision-making."

- NZPA