L to R, Scott Scrafton, Xavier Numia, Jordie Barrett and Reed Prinsep look on during a Hurricanes Super Rugby Aotearoa training session. Photo / Getty Images.
L to R, Scott Scrafton, Xavier Numia, Jordie Barrett and Reed Prinsep look on during a Hurricanes Super Rugby Aotearoa training session. Photo / Getty Images.
Every day this week we have previewed a different Kiwi Super Rugby team ahead of the competition kick-off tonight. Today, the Hurricanes.
The down low:
Widely tipped to struggle last season following Beauden Barrett's departure to the Blues, the theme remains much the same for the Hurricanes in 2021. Barrettis in Japan this season and so too is TJ Perenara which leaves a huge hole at halfback and in the leadership department. Perenara's impact for the All Blacks has dimmed in recent years but, throughout his career, there is no doubting his profound influence on the Hurricanes.
Last season the Hurricanes defied predictions to finish third in Super Rugby Aotearoa with five wins from eight games - a run that included their last-round loss to the Highlanders; a match with little meaning played in front of no spectators.
The highlight of the Hurricanes' campaign, other than Ngani Laumape steamrolling Barrett in his return to Wellington, was ending the Crusaders' 36-match unbeaten streak in Christchurch, a result that proved their forward pack's continued progression under Chris Gibbes.
Much of the focus again settles on who fills the unproven halves pairing, with Waikato first-five Fletcher Smith jettisoned and Simon Hickey recruited to complement Jackson Garden-Bachop in driving the team.
Hickey's season-ending knee injury during preseason is merely the latest blow to hit the Hurricanes' halves.
Elsewhere, though, the team is mostly settled with more than enough talent to challenge.
With Tyrel Lomax, Alex Fidow, Dane Coles and Asafo Aumua among the front-row, Ardie Savea and Du'Plessis Kirifi in the loose, Laumape and Peter Umaga-Jensen in the midfield, Jordie Barrett at fullback and Salesi Rayasi primed to make his mark on the edge, there's no shortage of firepower for head coach Jason Holland to unleash.
On the recruitment front Tyler Bleyendaal is an interesting addition to the coaching staff. The former Canterbury and Crusaders pivot was highly regarded during his five years at Munster where he moved into coaching after retiring due to concussion. He effectively replaces Carlos Spencer in helping Holland, in his second year as head coach, lead the Hurricanes' attack.
Defining factor: Halves combination
It's impossible to overlook the halves. Losing Beauden Barrett and Perenara in successive years would cripple any team but the Hurricanes will also now be without Hickey, the steady hand who returned from France to play his 50th match for Auckland this season.
Perenara's experienced deputy, Jamie Booth, is out for much of the season, too, after he suffered a broken leg playing for Manawatu. In the absence of Perenara and Booth, the Hurricanes turn to rookies in the form of Counties Manukau's Jonathan Taumateine and Bay of Plenty's Luke Campbell, with Taumateine getting the nod for tomorrow's night opener against the Blues. It's a big ask for the Hurricanes halves to dominate.
At first-five, Holland is confident Garden-Bachop can do the job but there's otherwise a dearth of depth. Garden-Bachop grew in confidence last season, and is said to be much fitter for this campaign. Rookie fullback Ruben Love, capable at 10 too, may be asked to slot in on occasion, and Counties Manukau's Orbyn Leger has been training with the squad. Jordie Barrett will be expected to assume some of the playmaking responsibility but compared to their rivals, the Hurricanes halves have a distinctive lightweight feel to them.
Devan Flanders of the Hurricanes charges up the field during the Super Rugby Aotearoa pre-season match between the Highlanders and the Hurricanes. Photo / Getty Images.
Positional battle: Wings
Cullen, Lomu, Umaga... the Hurricanes boast a long and proud history of possessing some of the world's best outside back talent. This season, competition will again be fierce with Rayasi, Wes Goosen, Julian Savea, Lolagi Visinia and Wellington's Pepesana Patafilo all hungry to contest wing roles. Rayasi has been something of a slow burn for the Hurricanes but after topping the Mitre 10 Cup try-scoring ranks with 14 for Auckland last season, he appears ready to make the step up, probably alongside the established Goosen. Savea's return from Toulon holds much intrigue. He spent the majority of his time in the south of France in the midfield and at 30 years old, time is against his revival. Yet he's been lifting some serious tin, and there will be ample motivation to impress in his homecoming. After losing Ben Lam and South African Kobus van Wyk to offshore contracts, the Hurricanes need another big wing to step up.
Ardie Savea (L) and Julian Savea enjoy a laugh during a Hurricanes Super Rugby Aotearoa training session at Rugby League Park on February 25, 2021. Photo / Getty Images.
Under-the-radar prospect: Ruben Love
Talk to those who know their footy and they will say Reuben Love is one to watch. Another dual talented sportsman, having played for the New Zealand under-19 cricket team and same age-grade Maori rugby side, Love emerged through Palmerston North Boys' High first XV only to be swiftly snaffled by Wellington. He made his provincial debut for the Lions this season, scoring a try and immediately showing his passion. Comfortable at fullback and first-five, Love is likely to be eased into the Super ranks but he will provide cover for Barrett at the back, where his jinking feet are difficult to contain, and may be asked to cover first-receiver too.
Ins and outs:
Some big losses for the Hurricanes to cover and they will again need to extract plenty from their unheralded second-row, with Samoan international Kane Leaupepe sidelined by a long-term neck injury.
In: Luke Campbell, Cameron Roigard (Counties Manukau, injury-replacement), Simon Hickey, Julian Savea, Lolagi Visinia, Pepesana Patafilo, Ruben Love
Out: Ben May (retired), TJ Perenara (Japan), Ben Lam (France), Kobus van Wyk (Leicester), Fletcher Smith (released)
Long term injuries: Kane Leaupepe, Murphy Taramai, Jamie Booth, Simon Hickey
Prediction: Fourth
There's enough established talent and smarts to suggest the Hurricanes could surprise this season. The Crusaders and Blues are expected to lead the charge, but if the Hurricanes halves find some cohesion those around them can provide the x-factor. Any team with Coles, Laumape, Barrett and Savea cannot be written off.
