Rugby: Don't write off Hurricanes just yet, says Vito

Victor Vito says the Hurricanes are still full of self-belief despite an abysmal run and just need to 'start winning a few' to get some momentum going. Photo / Getty Images

When the All Black coaches came calling a few weeks ago, they had a clear, simple message for Victor Vito.

"They told me I needed to be more direct, to get my hands on the ball a bit more so I could use the skills that I have," Vito said on the eve of the Hurricanes' must-win match against the Brumbies.

If the past two weeks have been anything to go by, Vito is a fast learner.

Clearly the best in a beaten Hurricanes' pack, Vito has perhaps been his team's one silver lining in an increasingly dark cloud.

But it also raises an interesting question: Can a player enhance his chances of making the All Blacks in a losing team?

Vito doesn't think so.

"I've been more pleased with my form in the past few weeks, but the personal gains are not important until we start winning," the 24-year-old said.

"The way I see it, to make higher honours, you've got to be part of a winning team."

There's a degree of disingenuity in that statement.

Plenty of players have made the All Blacks out of under-performing teams - just look at how many Blues players continued to be selected during the franchise's lost years - but if that is what motivates Vito, to try to turn around what has been a disastrous season so far for the Wellington-based side, then Mark Hammett is hardly going to complain.

Coach Hammett has designated the next games as a "mini-season" as the Hurricanes tour the delights of Canberra, Bloemfontein and Durban before heading home to face the Reds in Wellington.

"Definitely," says Vito. "These games on the road are a chance for us to come together as a team and get our season back on track.

"It's never fun losing, I'll say that now, but the boys are still up. That's footy, we've all been through it before but it's highlighted a bit more at the moment."

As well as get his hands on the ball a bit more, Vito has had to take more of a leadership role at the back of the scrum.

In the past he has tended to follow the likes of Rodney So'oialo, but with age and attrition catching up with that warrior, Hammett has handed that baton to Vito.

It also means he gets to play in his favourite No 8 jersey.

Vito has started two of his six tests for the All Blacks, but both of them have been in the No 6 jersey.

He missed the end-of-year tour after featuring in the Tri-Nations, with many believing a defensive lapse that allowed Australia to score a simple try in Sydney was the root cause of his omission.

"I definitely prefer running out of No 8, but I can't afford to lock myself into one position," Vito said.

So he will continue to play where he's asked and do what is asked of him.

He'll continue, also, to believe the Hurricanes' chances of playoff action are far from over.

"Once we start winning a few games the critics will be off our backs and people will start jumping on the bandwagon again."

The Hurricanes left for Canberra yesterday without Cory Jane, who has stayed home as wife Amie is expecting the couple's third child. Andre Taylor will take his place at fullback, with Alapati Leiua on the wing.

That sinking feeling

Rd 1: 10-14 v Highlanders (h), NZC 4th

Rd 2: draw v Crusaders (abandoned), NZC 4th

Rd 3: bye, NZC 4th

Rd 4: 29-26 v Chiefs (h), NZC 3rd

Rd 5: 17-41 v Blues (a), NZC 4th

Rd 6: 25-42 v Rebels (a), NZC 4th

Rd 7: 14-26 v Bulls (h), NZC 5th

Crunch month

April 9: v Brumbies, Canberra

April 17: v Cheetahs, Bloemfontein

April 24: v Sharks, Durban

April 30: v Reds, Wellington