TJ Perenara's energy was again important to the Hurricanes' cause. Photo / Getty Images
TJ Perenara's energy was again important to the Hurricanes' cause. Photo / Getty Images
Callum Gibbins spent the past two years heading to Hurricanes training at Rugby League Park in Newtown waiting for his opportunity.
The Manawatu flanker was a wider training group member of the Wellington-based franchise in 2013 and 2014 but never saw the field as he collected his salary, learned thelineout calls and drove back to Palmerston North on the weekends to play for his club side Varsity.
He was upgraded to a full Hurricanes contract this year and, after a cameo appearance against the Lions last week, made his starting debut for the side in yesterday's 17-13 win over the Bulls in Pretoria.
Eyebrows were raised when Gibbins was named to start in the No 7 jersey ahead of Ardie Savea during the week and coach Chris Boyd labelled it a "horses-for-courses" selection. Savea was immense during the win over the Lions.
The thinking from the Hurricanes coaching staff was that Savea, Victor Vito and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen could give the visitors a late push from the bench when the big Bulls forwards felt the pinch.
The plan paid off and the Hurricanes finished well but for the first 50 minutes Gibbins epitomised the Hurricanes' efforts. He got his hands on the ball in the loose and didn't shirk any of the grunt work.
Callum Gibbins.
The 26-year-old has always played the game with a big engine and won the Hurricanes' annual pre-season Surf to Peak event in 2013 and 2014 before a knee injury meant he couldn't take part this year. "I feel really good. I'm confident. I've been doing my homework so I know what's going on and once I know what's going on, I'm pretty calm and I can just play how I want to play," Gibbins said. "I'm feeling really comfortable at the moment."
Relentless defence has been the calling card of the Hurricanes' opening games this season and new assistant coach John Plumtree has played a leading hand in their improvement in this aspect of the game.
Yesterday's victory marked the first time the Hurricanes had recorded back-to-back wins in South Africa since 2006 and, aside from their defence, they've also played intelligently. They're not over-committing at ruck time, keeping it simple in their own 22m and know they can improve.
If they can find a way to hold on to the ball for longer periods and attack with more clarity, their All Black-laden backline may start to hit top gear.
There were flashes of potential yesterday but the Hurricanes had to rely on a solo effort from close range from Julian Savea to grab their only try of the game, while Beauden Barrett's boot did the rest.
The Hurricanes will play the Force in Perth on Saturday.
