Rugby: Hurricanes eager to front up to Bulls

Hosea Gear. Photo / Getty Images

As befitting two front row veterans, Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett and captain Andrew Hore are talking tough ahead of their crucial Super 15 rugby match against the Bulls in Napier on Saturday.

Hammett, a former hooker with 81 Super rugby caps for the Crusaders, and All Blacks rake Hore were unified in their commitment to get the Hurricanes' campaign back on track after two successive losses in which they leaked more than 40 points on each occasion.

"It's been a really tough week but it's up to us all to get things back on track and be proud of what and who we are," Hammett said

The blunt talking Hore said the players needed to respond to the position they found themselves in.

"There's only one thing to go when you get yourself in a hole and that is to get out of it. We need to get our minds right - we're too good a team not to be able to play rugby," he said.

While many observers would regard Saturday's match as a must-win contest, Hammett has taken a pragmatic approach to getting his side ready for the crunch encounter.

"I've never ever prepared for a game where we go out and hope that we have a good game. Every game you want to win and if your mentality in terms of your performance is based around a must-win what does that do the week after when it is not a must-win? So your mentality, whoever you're playing, must be a must-win mentality."

It is a philosophy shared by his captain, who is determined to lead from the front.

"I always want to put in a performance I can be proud of. Every time I put on the boots I want to be happy with how I play.

"We're playing the big boys, if you want to beat them you've got to be hard up front.

"I've got to start fronting up and lead the boys," said Hore.

Hammett has made just the two changes to the side humbled by the Rebels 42-25 in Melbourne, with fit-again All Blacks winger Hosea Gear returning to the staring lineup at the expense of Andre Taylor while openside flanker Serge Lilo joins the loose forward trio. Lilo and Jack Lam, both effectively No 7s, will combine with Victor Vito in a move designed to add some defensive steel to the team.

"We've leaked points and we need to steady up that area and those two boys (Lam and Lilo) are very good defensively."

The Hurricanes sit fourth on the New Zealand conference table, 10 points behind leaders the Crusaders who automatically pick up four points this week while sitting out the round with a bye, and despite their lowly position Hammett is optimistic they can yet be title contenders.

"I'm not writing us off now, not by any stretch. If we get ourselves back on track, work hard ... we can challenge for it - without a doubt."

That challenge starts in earnest at McLean Park before a tricky trip to face the Brumbies, Cheetahs and Sharks over successive weeks that will ultimately decide the Hurricanes' season.

Hurricanes side:
Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Chris Eaton, Victor Vito, Serge Lilo, Jack Lam, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore (captain), John Schwalger. Reserves: Dane Coles, Jacob Ellison, James Broadhurst, Mark Reddish, Tyson Keats, Aaron Cruden, Charlie Ngatai.

- NZPA

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