Hurricane's Julian Savea sets off on another devastating run during the match between Hurricanes v Chiefs in round 14 of the 2015 Investec Super 15. Photo / Getty Images.
Hurricane's Julian Savea sets off on another devastating run during the match between Hurricanes v Chiefs in round 14 of the 2015 Investec Super 15. Photo / Getty Images.
The Hurricanes have only lost twice this season. How do the Highlanders make it a hat trick?
Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the match in Napier tonight and wonders how the Highlanders, with their All Blacks rested, can win.
1. All The Right Moves
Most wins from the Hurricaneshave come from getting on the front foot early and staying there. They are masters of seizing on mistakes and making the most of them, and of preying on a dropped ball or two in the opening minutes.
How do you stop this early blitzkrieg? Simple, really. Pin them back in their half, and get them to do their business behind the advantage line. A theory is floating around that Ardie Savea does not like going into mauls. That is a bit of a stretch but he is way less effective when the game is tighter and he cannot roam.
The Hurricanes have always had entertaining players. Think Umaga, Lomu and Cullen. At the moment, the likes of Julian Savea, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Cory Jane are great to watch. They are dangerous, and the best way to combat that is to not give them any ball and any room.
The Crusaders mostly did it successfully last week by limiting the space of the Hurricanes' attackers and getting their big backs going backwards. No wide man likes getting into reverse gear so that is what the Highlanders have to do to the home side's back three. The Highlanders also have potent wingers in their own pocket and will want to use them.
Luck. Every team needs it - and the Hurricanes have had their fair share this season. The Bulls blowing a win in the dying minutes, dodgy television replay calls, strange decisions by opponents.
Good teams make their own luck. Perhaps that is true. But sometimes, it just happens. It has happened often for the Hurricanes this season. Highlanders fans will hope it is not repeated tonight.
