Hurricanes fans eye a super night
The Hurricanes have a chance at redemption.
After hosting and losing last year’s Super Rugby final at Westpac Stadium, the Canes will take on the Lions of South Africa on Saturday to break their 21-year title drought.
For long-time fans, such as Avril Ringrose of Plimmerton, victory would be the perfect end to a season in which the Hurricanes weren’t expected to match last year’s efforts – especially after losing legends like Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith.
‘‘I definitely think they’ll win it this time. They have to, as they’re the only New Zealand team not to have won it.’’
Ringrose and her family have been season ticket-holders since the stadium was built and have ridden the highs and lows with many long-suffering and patient Hurricanes fans.
A crew of about 16-20 will be gathering to go to the big game, she said. ‘‘We had an MKR [My Kitchen Rules] event planned, but that’s definitely been put on hold.’’
Last year’s loss is a bitter memory, but if the unthinkable were to happen and the Hurricanes lost, she would be ‘‘OK with it’’ because her support was evergreen.
Hurricanes spokesman Toby Robson said public tickets starting at $35 for an adult and about $20 for a child, would go on sale at midday tomorrow. Platinum seats will go for about $80.
‘‘It would be great to see it packed to the rafters,’’ Robson said. ‘‘While we can’t predict those sorts of things, we would love to see it sell out.’’
Depending on how sales went, the stadium would consider on Wednesday if it needed extra temporary seating to bolster its 34,500 capacity.
An extra 1000 seats were available on a temporary stand on the eastern side of the stadium when the All Blacks clashed with Wales in June.
The Hurricanes don’t need reminding that they are the only New Zealand Super Rugby franchise without a championship.
Shortly after the Hurricanes beat the Chiefs 25-9 and the Lions defeated 2015 champions the Highlanders, the Hurricanes were installed as overwhelming favourites to win. The TAB had the local team at $1.37 for the win, while the Lions were at a much longer $3.05.
Another factor in the Hurricanes’ favour is that, in 10 attempts, a South African team has never won a playoff game in New Zealand since Super Rugby started in 1996.
And even the weather may help the Canes, who’ll be far more used to the bitterly cold ‘‘rain with southerlies’’ predicted for Saturday by the MetService.
Lions coach Johan Ackermann started the mind games early yesterday, saying ‘‘all the pressure’’ was now on the Hurricanes.
‘‘They ended No 1 and they are playing at home, so we can just go out there and enjoy our game.’’
Either way, Super Rugby will have a new name on the trophy at the end of Saturday night.