Canes happy with ref Jackson for quarterfinal clash
Two doses of referee Glen Jackson shouldn’t be a bad thing for the Hurricanes.
With Jackson in charge, the defending Super Rugby champions easily won the penalty count against the Crusaders last week. It finished 16-7 in the Hurricanes’ favour and now Jackson’s joined them in Canberra, for tonight’s quarterfinal against the Brumbies.
Jackson and Hurricanes captain TJ Perenara didn’t immediately hit things off last Saturday and there was a period where Brad Shields had to handle negotiations instead. Familiarity can breed contempt, but
the Hurricanes would be fools to allow relations between themselves and Jackson to deteriorate.
‘‘We went pretty well with Glen last week. Obviously our penalty
count was one of the best it’s been all year. I think we played well under his rules and we adjusted to the way he refs pretty well,’’ Shields said.
‘‘Maybe having him two weeks in a row, and knowing the way he does ref, maybe that is a bonus. But if we get on the wrong side of him and start irritating him with the way we’re playing and the way we’re pushing the limits, then maybe it could be on the other side of the coin this week.’’
The Hurricanes have every incentive to win well tonight. Beyond the dream of going back-to-back, this is the final campaign for good contributors such as Callum Gibbins, Mark Abbott and Loni Uhila. Then, of course, there’s the whole spectre of round one 2016.
The Brumbies won 52-10 that night, leading Australian television commentators to lampoon the losers.
‘‘It’s obviously something we talk about amongst the team and we talk about how last time we were here we were obviously an embarrassing outfit,’’ said Shields.
‘‘We embarrassed ourselves in front of the Canberra stadium and obviously let the Hurricanes brand down so, we’re not saying we want to make a wrong right, but we just want to play our best rugby and show that we can perform in this venue.’’
The Brumbies have won only six games this season but possess some good individuals. Sub-zero temperatures are forecast so the type of running rugby the Hurricanes favour might be impacted if the dew is heavy.