Target on Hurricanes' back

 

Rather than pick over what they did particularly wrong during their 24-29 loss to the Waratahs, the Hurricanes review process suggested the defending champions lifted a notch in Wellington.

 

"The reality is now we know every team is going to bring their A-game and that's probably a bit of a change for us because we've been a bit up and down and chasing the pack over the last few years," Laidlaw said on Monday.

 

"Now we are out in front and teams are chasing us.

 

"There needs to be a little adjustment over that, knowing teams are going to bring their A-game and we need to be on the money each week."

 

The defeat was a blow to the Hurricanes, although it was softened by two bonus points, and the Hurricanes saw it as a timely wake up call ahead of their Round 11 encounter with the Reds – a side with nothing to lose. 

 

Aside from struggling to stop massive lock Will Skelton from getting over the advantage line, bombing a couple of certain try opportunities, and giving up an intercept try, the Hurricanes felt they played decent rugby against the Waratahs.

 

But again, there may be a lesson in the way the defending champions chanced their arm with a high-risk rush defence in a bid to stop the Hurricanes attack, as future opponents are likely to employ similar tactics in a bid to put a stop to it.

 

Source: Stuff