BACKING UP
THE HURRICANES FINALLY ENDED THEIR LONG WAIT FOR A TITLE LAST YEAR AND NOW THEY HOPE THAT BEING DEFENDING CHAMPIONS WILL BRING EVEN MORE OUT OF THEM. LIAM NAPIER REPORTS.
For almost their entirety there’s been this unpredictability about the Hurricanes. The truth is it gave them excuses not to fulfill their obvious potential and perennial superstar quality.
That unpredictability, that sense of uncertainty, was encapsulated last year with their maiden title. Right on cue, just when you least expected it, the Canes delivered against all odds. Never mind the fact 2015 was supposed to be their year. It was so symptomatic of this franchise that, after a stunning regular season, they blew the final against the Highlanders, leaving Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu and co to slink off to France without success and their support base disillusioned yet again.
Written off completely after an opening round hiding from the Brumbies in 2016, they somehow stole top spot in the final regular season match against the Crusaders – in Christchurch no less. Just to dispel further myths, they then produced a defensive masterclass to not concede a try in three successive playoff matches in Wellington’s miserable winter to clinch the title. It really was against the script.
Ordinarily, predicting what the Hurricanes will do next would be akin to trusting election polls. But it’s clear Chris Boyd and John Plumtree make an unflappable team. In two short years, their unique coaching partnership has seemingly transformed a once grossly underperforming team and established an inclusive culture.
Boyd is the face of the team; never one to get overly excited about a big win or too grumpy after a disappointing defeat. Publicly he keeps an even keel and appears to do so behind the scenes, too.
Plumtree’s reputation grows all the time. He deserves immense credit for the defensive grit the Canes displayed throughout the knockouts. Continuing to get the most from the forward pack remains his challenge.
Don’t expect too much change in the Hurricanes’ approach. Like most Kiwi teams they’ll look to use the ball, to offload and embrace their abundance of flair.
They benefit from established combinations across the board and with James Marshall, Willis Halaholo and Victor Vito the only major losses, they could be better this year than last. Then again, this is the Hurricanes.