The final countdown begins
‘‘We talked about earning the right to come back and train on Monday, which we’ve done, and we’ll throw the kitchen sink at trying to get it right this time.’’ Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd
Nothing changes.
The Hurricanes would like a different result, of course, other than that their routine for Saturday’s Super Rugby final against the Lions at Westpac Stadium will be the same as it always is. Just like it was before they lost to the Highlanders in last year’s decider.
Only mugs try to be clever this late in the piece or build things up to be bigger than they need to be.
‘‘It’ll be business as usual,’’ Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd said.
‘‘Monday will be recovery and Tuesday will be preparation and Wednesday will be day off and Thursday will be sharpening day [and about] getting it right and Saturday we’ll play.’’
Along the way players such as Cory Jane, TJ Perenara and Brad Shields will help defence coach John Plumtree work up a strategy. First five-eighth Beauden Barrett will delve into the exercise book of plays he’s always carrying around and everyone will agree on how to beat the Lions.
The hurt of losing 21-14 to the Highlanders in the 2015 final remains, but for fewer Hurricanes than you’d imagine.
Only five of the team that started Saturday’s 25-9 semifinal win over the Chiefs also played in last year’s final.
‘‘Victor Vito and Brad Shields in the forwards. TJ [Perenara], Beaudy [Beauden Barrett] and Jimmy Marshall were the only three backs so it’s quite a changed team,’’ said Boyd.
Openside flanker Ardie Savea was one of those – in his case due to a knee injury – who missed that game for one reason or another.
‘‘Last year was probably the toughest moment of my career, missing the Super final. But if I do get an opportunity to play it will be another highlight of my career,’’ Savea said.
‘‘First things first, I’ve got to get this body right. I’m pretty sore.’’
As is captain Dane Coles, who was a late scratching from the Chiefs game due to his rib cartilage injury and watched from the coaches’ box. Boyd said Coles would be given every chance to get right for the final, although you’d imagine he’ll be struggling.
Few injuries are more painful and, much as he’d like to be out there, Coles also has his All Blacks duties to consider.
In the skipper’s absence Ricky Riccitelli overcame a couple of early lineout-throwing wobbles to produce a tidy and mature performance against the Chiefs. Boyd was certainly impressed and had no fear that Riccitelli or reserve rake Leni Apisai would be daunted by playing in a decider.
Then there’s someone such as lock Michael Fatialofa, who the Hurricanes drafted into their wider training group the day before the 2016 squads were due to be announced.
‘‘So Michael was our insurance policy and he’s just continued to grow and [fellow lock] Vaea Fifita; he’s just been great as well,’’ Boyd said.
At the other end of the spectrum, the match will be the hundredth in Hurricanes colours for France-bound No 8 Vito.
There are any number of reasons for the Hurricanes to be motivated this week, but the main one is to enjoy some last precious days together before going their separate ways.
‘‘We talked about earning the right to come back and train on Monday, which we’ve done, and we’ll throw the kitchen sink at trying to get it right this time,’’ said Boyd.