Size matters for Hurricanes
Set pieces in pieces despite victory over Highlanders
Andries Ferreira, come on down.
While no disrespect is intended to James Blackwell and Liam Mitchell, the Hurricanes are a team that could do with a bit more heft in their tight five.
South African lock Ferreira arrived in the country early last week and was originally bracketed with Isaia Walkerleawere to be on the bench in the Hurricanes’ 25-22 win over the Highlanders on Friday night before the decision was made to give him another week to settle into the team’s system.
At 1.97 metres, he’s not the tallest lock but his 122kg frame would add at least 12kg to a pack which gave up almost 50kg to the Highlanders.
Sam Lousi’s 122kgs were a big loss when he went down with a likely season-ending pectoral injury, while Michael Fatialofa’s off-season departure meant their lock size has dropped from 240kg to 217kg when Mitchell (110kg) and Blackwell (107kg) play.
That weight difference told against the Highlanders, Hurricanes coach John Plumtree said as he watched his scrum operate like it was on roller skates for much of the match.
‘‘Weight is a factor, absolutely. We’ve lost a big man in Sam Lousi,’’ Plumtree said.
‘‘We know the people that we’ve lost out of the middle row and there’s not a lot of big men around in New Zealand. Blackie and Liam Mitchell are punching above their weight and doing their best.’’
Ferreira should also add something to their rolling maul defence, which has been shaky this season, particularly against the Highlanders and Crusaders.
‘‘We haven’t quite nailed our drive and obviously our scrum came under pressure, particularly in the first 60 minutes [against the Highlanders], so it was pretty hard work up front for the forwards,’’ Plumtree said.
‘‘Our scrum continues to be our work-on. [Scrum coach] Dan Cron is doing a lot of work with the boys and we’re putting the work in during the week, but we’re just not nailing it.
‘‘It’s something we’ve got to get right. A freekick or a penalty from a scrum gives such easy metreage to the opposition. They get a 30 or 40-metre kick touchfinder and then, bang, you’re facing a driving lineout or a launch closer to your line.
‘‘We can’t allow the opposition to have easy access to our goalline through set piece. So it’s going to be more work.’’
With all that being said, the Hurricanes did still find a way to win on Friday night.
They showed a capability to grind away at their opposition, as well as breaking through with their star-studded backline.
But if they want to win the competition this year, which probably means beating the Crusaders in the playoffs, they will need to tidy up their set piece and they’ll be hoping Ferreira is the man who can help them do that.