Rugby: Canes-Blues have plenty of history

Zinzan Brooke at No 8 would bolster any team. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The Blues and Hurricanes share one untouchable Super rugby record that stems from their meeting in the opening round of the professional series way back in 1996.

They played in what felt like a neutral venue at Palmerston North although the match was deemed a home game for the Hurricanes. The Blues won that game 36-28 while the Hurricanes had to wait until their third match to record a win.

The record stands at nine wins for the Blues and just four for the Hurricanes although perhaps more pertinently, they have won three of the last four.

Both sides have always favoured an adventurous style although that attack for the Blues has not been matched this season by their defence.

The Canes have been a stronger combination and with three matches to run before the playoffs, sit in the series lead while the Blues are struggling.

The franchises have a history that shows they have shared players, coaches and administrators. The Blues have the edge with three titles and one runners-up badge, while the Hurricanes have a solitary runners-up claim after the 2006 final loss to the Crusaders in the fog.

Centre Alama Ieremia scored the first try in Super rugby in that 1996 match and is now one of the Hurricanes' technical advisers while foundation coach Oliver later transferred to work with the Blues.

Vice-president of the New Zealand Rugby Union Bryan Williams was a star Auckland wing before Super rugby, coached Auckland and was an assistant at the Hurricanes while his son Paul is in the current Blues squad.

Administrators such as David White and Grant McKenzie worked for both franchises, as did trainer Graham Lowe, while players such as Doug Howlett, Jonah Lomu, David Holwell, Glenn Taylor, Finau Maka, Isaia Toeava, David Smith and Jimmy Gopperth have worn both teams' colours.

With all those connections, it's tempting to pick the best composite side since 1996. Easy? Well how about the debate you'd have discussing the credentials of Joeli Vidiri, Lomu, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Brian Lima and Howlett? And that's just two wings.

Or how about the merits of Christian Cullen, Mils Muliaina or perhaps Adrian Cashmore as fullback? Those sorts of discussion areas are tough, others are easier - like who should lock the scrum.

There have been some Hurricanes such as Taylor, Chresten Davis, Dion Waller or Jason Eaton who would merit a mention but they do not really crack it against Blues men Robin Brooke and Ali Williams.

Let's untangle the first two areas. Muliaina is a terrific fullback, and perhaps the most reliable player in the Super 14.

But Cullen was extra-special, he was a superb counter-attacker with those gliding runs of his and could be a punishing defender.

On the wing, there was nothing to match Caucaunibuca in several extraordinary years with the Blues. His partner would be either Vidiri or Lomu, whose careers were both hindered by illness.

It is equally difficult to separate the midfield muddle where players like Tana Umaga, Alama Ieremia, Eroni Clarke, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Walter Little, Luke McAlister, Jason O'Halloran and Sam Tuitupou go into the mix.

Some like Little were hit by injury and not at their most potent during Super rugby while the Smith-Nonu combination is developing so well it is hard to ignore.

Halfback is not so flush with contenders - perhaps Ofisa Tonu'u, Mark Robinson, Jon Preston, Steve Devine and Piri Weepu - with the versatile goalkicking Preston taking the job while there are even fewer contenders for the No 10 jersey with Carlos Spencer well ahead of the steady Holwell.

The looseforwards are not as congested as you might think, with the selection coming from Zinzan Brooke, Rodney So'oialo, Troy Flavell, Andrew Blowers, Jerry Collins, Michael Jones, Mark Carter, Daniel Braid and Kupu Vanisi.

With the game changing so much in 14 seasons, the super-physical Jones and Collins have been picked to cope with all sorts of looseforward action.

The frontrow has some heavyweight contenders. The Blues frontrow of Olo Brown, Sean Fitzpatrick and Craig Dowd could be picked because of skill and the advantages of their combination.

Fitzpatrick has some competition from Norm Hewitt, Keven Mealamu and Andrew Hore but you cannot go past the All Blacks test record-holder. Brown eases away from Gordon Slater and Neemia Tialata while Dowd comes under the most heat from Tony Woodcock and perhaps Mark Allen.

DREAM TEAM

Hurricanes/Blues all-time XV

15: Christian Cullen

14: Joeli Vidiri

13: Tana Umaga

12: Ma'a Nonu

11: Rupeni Caucaunibuca

10: Carlos Spencer

9: Jon Preston

8: Zinzan Brooke

7: Michael Jones

6: Jerry Collins

5: Robin Brooke

4: Ali Williams

3: Olo Brown

2: Sean Fitzpatrick

1: Tony Woodcock