HURRICANES 2011

The Hurricanes, New Zealand’s largest Super Rugby franchise with a catchment area including 920,000 people from the central and lower North Island, have reached the play-offs three times in the last five years.

However, they have been unable to translate this into success when it really counts, suffering defeat in the Final in 2006 and losing in the semifinals in 2008 and 2009.

There will be excitement, with new Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett having an established and experienced squad at his disposal – a squad which boasts a total of 947 Hurricanes appearances between them.

Foremost amongst their All Black stars are players of the calibre of Rodney So’oialo, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Andrew Hore and Cory Jane – all of them rated in the top line of exciting, internationally accomplished players in their positions.

Any team based around this group must be formidable indeed.

It’s a well-balanced squad with forwards capable of winning a surfeit of possession and backs who can cut any defence.

They will hope the change in coaching staff would bring a change in fortune – with Hammett, he from Crusaders country, coming in for Colin Cooper, the latter having retired after having coached the Hurricanes since 2003.

Strengths: They say a change is as good as a holiday, so the change in coaching staff may well reinvigorate what had become a tired-looking team in 2010. The pack is powerful and mobile, with dynamic ball-carrying loose forwards, and the midfield combination of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith is amongst the most penetrative in world rugby. To keep them at bay for 80 minutes demands the tightest defence of every opposition team. Rodney So’oialo can be relied on to make a giant contribution in every game, demanding attention from more than a handful of defenders.

Weaknesses: There is no doubt that inconsistency has let them down badly in the past. Defensive errors have cost them dearly on occasion. Getting close to the title but not winning the championship threatens to become habitual – losing the big play-off games (three in four years) has been very disappointing.

Noteworthy signings: No big names that jump out at you, but there are seven new caps: Michael Bent, Laurence Corlett, Chris Eaton, Jack Lam, Charlie Ngatai, Mark Reddish and Julian Savea.

Noteworthy losses: Potentially one of the most costly decisions could be to let Scott Waldrom go to the Chiefs, as it reduces the much-needed depth in the loose forward department. Another puzzling decision was to let Willie Ripia go to the Western Force for the next two years. Others missing include Michael Paterson, Nick Crosswell, Jason Kawau, Tamati Ellison and David Smith.

Coach: Former All Black hooker and Crusaders assistant coach Mark Hammett takes over from the retired Colin Cooper as head coach of the Hurricanes for two years from 2011. Hurricanes technical advisor and fellow former All Black Alama Ieremia will take on a new role with the team as assistant coach. Jono Philips will take on a new role as Hurricanes high performance manager. Hammett had been a strong contender for the Crusaders head coach position a few years ago. As assistant coach to Todd Blackadder and before him Robbie Deans, Hammett had shown himself to be a formidable figure for the Crusaders.

Captain: Hooker Andrew Hore, a 31-year old All Black with 47 Test caps, was appointed to succeed Rodney So’oialo in 2010, despite never having led a team at first-class level. Like So’oialo, he made his Super debut in 2001 and played his first Test in 2002. He leads from the front and ended 2010 with 91 Hurricanes caps and 97 overall.

Potential bolter: The new Hurricanes coach, Mark Hammett, is placing a lot of faith in newcomers like Michael Bent, Laurence Corlett, Chris Eaton, Jack Lam, Charlie Ngatai, Mark Reddish and Julian Savea. He hopes they can translate domestic form into Super Rugby success.

2010 Position: Eighth
Best finish: Second (beaten finalists) in 2006, 3rd in Super 12 in 1997 and 2003
Worst finish: 11th in Super 12 in 2004
Home Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington (capacity 34,500)

2010 Prospects: They have been one of New Zealand’s most promising teams for years and this may well be the year they turn their promise into success. They should be a good bet for a play-off spot and then you can’t write them off.

Hurricanes squad: Michael Bent, James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Laurence Corlett, Aaron Cruden, Chris Eaton, Jason Eaton, Jacob Ellison, Bryn Evans, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Tyson Keats, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Jack Lam, Alapati Leiua, Faifili Levave, Serge Lilo, Karl Lowe, Charlie Ngatai, Ma’a Nonu, Anthony Perenise, Mark Reddish, Julian Savea, John Schwalger, Conrad Smith, Rodney So’oialo, Andre Taylor, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu.

Schedule:
18 February: v Highlanders, home
26 February: v Crusaders, home
5 February: Bye
19 March: v Blues, away
25 March: v Rebels, away
2 April: v Bulls, home
9 April: v Brumbies, away
16 April: v Cheetahs, away
23 April: v Sharks, away
30 April: v Reds, home
6 May: v Blues, home
13 May: v Highlanders, away
21 May: Bye
27 May: v Force, home
4 June: v Lions, home
10 June: v Chiefs, away
18 June: v Crusaders, away