Decision-making crucial for Hurricanes backline

Accuracy has to be at the heart of everything the Hurricanes’ backline does.

Without Julian Savea on the wing there’s nothing intimidating or physically imposing about the combination that’ll confront the Chiefs in tonight’s Super Rugby semifinal.

Halfback TJ Perenara is always a threat from the base of scrums and rucks and the pace and vision of first five-eighth Beauden Barrett can embarrass even the best defenders.

Otherwise the Hurricanes’ back division derives its success from making good decisions and executing their skills well.

Fullback James Marshall, wing Cory Jane and centre Matt Proctor are typical of that.

The 23-year-old Proctor tips the scales at just 90kg and is unlikely to run in many length-of-the-field tries. But he rarely makes an error and has proven a good foil for second fiveeighths’ Vince Aso and Willis Halaholo.

Halaholo has taken ownership of the No.12 jersey in recent weeks, after Aso dropped out of the starting side due to a calf strain.

Defensively, Proctor and Halaholo are likely to be busy against the Chiefs. From first five-eighth Aaron Cruden, through centre Seta Tamanivalu and fullback Damian McKenzie and wing James Lowe, there are any number of Chiefs to be wary of.

They’re not tied to any part of the park and it will be up to someone such as Jane to spot how the Chiefs are looking to launch and communicate that to his team-mates.

The other way the Hurricanes can limit the effectiveness of the Chiefs is through field-position. Perenara and Barrett get plenty of praise for their running games, but Proctor says the pair’s game-management has been just as important lately.

‘‘There’s periods in a game, like crucial times, where if you can put the other team in their part of the field it builds pressure on them and takes the pressure off you at the same time. That’s how we’ve been getting on top of teams,’’ said Proctor.