Rugby: Hammett reads Hurricanes the riot act

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett. Photo / Getty Images

Frustrated Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett has put the acid on his Super 15 squad to justify their reputations.

While game analysis was part of his workload he said his players needed to undergo some wide self-analysis ahead of their next match.

"At the Hurricanes we represent a lot of people who make sacrifices for this team in a hard environment and we have to repay these people," Hammett said.

"It is about putting our hands up not our hands out."

Hammett's ire had still not subsided yesterday after the Hurricanes latest slump to a 42-25 loss against the Rebels.

That left them with a solitary win and a draw from the cancelled contest with the Crusaders. That was an unacceptable return for a side who started with eight past or present All Blacks on the field in Melbourne.

"People appreciate effort but if we are only getting that once every four games it's no good."

Hammett's side led the Rebels 17-0 early before they stalled and were then overrun.

"As a type we have become individual and indisciplined and that is what we have seen so far," the coach said.

"It is a very big challenge to change that type."

That task gets no respite with their next match against the defending champion Bulls in Napier on Saturday.

Their engine room had the Springboks 8, 9, 10 with Pierre Spies, Fourie du Preez and Morne Steyn.

"They are a pedigree team and will be very strong but I think we will be well-motivated," Hammett suggested grimly.

"We have a lot of options to look at. As a group we have got to be clear round our standards."

That self-appraisal had begun. There had been no quibbles from the squad when they had been challenged about their standard of work.

They had to show they could respond under pressure.

"Nothing in life that is meaningful comes easy and it is the same in this game," said Hammett. "It is confrontational, physical and tough.

"Sometimes you have to guts it out on 40 per cent ball. We went away from that sort of thinking in our last game."

The match before that against the Blues they had worked hard and it was appreciated. This round they had regressed.

"We have to go deeper into some team building and go back to players who are willing to fight for their team," he said.

The Hurricanes had moved away from their gameplan against the Rebels and that shift in psychology hurt them.

"The Rebels were exhausted when they came off, they had worked really hard. We need to come away from games, spent. To do that, it is all about our own preparation," Hammett said.

He was sifting players who could work under stress, who loved a battle, those who contributed or opted out.