Hammett avoids the axe

 

The Hurricanes are zero from three and coming off a dreadful performance against the Brumbies which has got some calling for change at the top.

 

"All that speculation has to be put in the context of the fact it's disappointing to lose the first three, but absolutely not," says Hurricanes chief executive James Te Puni. 

 

"Mark has got the support, as do the rest of the players, the entire club."

 

Assistant coach Alama Ieremia says calls for Hammett to go are an overreaction to a poor start. He hopes fans show their support at Saturday's match against the Cheetahs.

 

Star flyhalf Beauden Barrett says that is down to the players.

 

"The players are the ones out there performing and we're letting the Hurricanes down and our fans down by not performing to our potential," says Barrett.

 

The Hurricanes are not the only side playing poorly. The Blues were pretty poor against the Bulls and the Crusaders have managed just one tight win.

 

Crusaders fullback Colin Slade says the players need to shoulder some of the blame.

 

"I suppose at the end of the day the players have to be accountable," says Slade. 

 

"It's the coach's job to give us a game plan and our job to go out there and execute that game plan, and if we're not doing that then that's our fault."

 

"We're the ones out there playing the game," says Crusaders lock Luke Romano.

 

"If we can't catch and hold onto the ball going into contact, then that's not the coach's fault; that's our fault."

 

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie says momentum within a season can be fickle.

 

"It doesn't take much to turn around a season," says Rennie. 

 

"I know in 2012 we lost our first game then won nine on the trot. Someone like the Crusaders and Hurricanes have a bit of a winning streak and all of a sudden you're in a strong position, so she's a long competition. I wouldn't panic at this stage."

 

The Crusaders are staying calm and confident their game plan is the right one.

 

"We probably just haven't had the performances to reflect that," says Crusaders assistant coach Aaron Mauger.

 

"We're constantly searching for the right formula and I think once it clicks you'll see a dominant Crusaders side."

 

They, like the Hurricanes, know their season is far from sunk.