New Canes pivot needs forwards to front up
If Fletcher Smith’s Hurricanes debut is to go well, he will need some help from his team-mates up front.
The first-five’s fledgling career has yet to take off, but the 23-year-old’s off-season switch from the Highlanders has at least allowed him to gain a start, against the Waratahs at Brookvale Oval on the outskirts of Sydney tonight.
But it could be a rough introduction to life in the Hurricanes’ 10 jersey if his pack can’t muscle up to an experienced Waratahs outfit which boasts five current Wallabies forwards in its starting lineup.
The Hurricanes’ pack have their fair share of critics and will have Liam Mitchell on debut at lock, but loose forward Reed Prinsep said they would use that criticism as motivation.
‘‘We’re out to prove the doubters wrong. We want to show them what we’re about and what we’re capable of, and that’s certainly what we’ll be doing this weekend.’’
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper will start in the No 7 jersey for the Waratahs, and Prinsep said neutralising him would be important.
‘‘He’s a world-class seven. He’s great over the ball, great ball-carrier, great tackler. We’ve got to make sure we do a job at the breakdown, get rid of him, don’t let him get those opportunities over the ball.
‘‘If we do that, that will go a long way to getting the result on the day.’’
If they can do that and ensure quick ball to Smith to distribute to one of the most explosive backlines in the competition, then it should be a successful night for the Hurricanes in their season opener.
Smith said the pre-season competition with Jackson Garden-Bachop for the starting role in Beauden Barrett’s absence meant he was feeling sharp and raring to go.
‘‘We’ve had a really tough pre-season, eight or nine weeks of grafting away, so it’s really good to get into a bit of competition footy.
‘‘To get the opportunity first-up, I’m excited about it. There’s a lot of competition. Jacko [Garden-Bachop] and Jimmy Marshall are both quality players.
‘‘I’ve got the opportunity this week, but that’s all it is, I’ve got to go try nail it to put my foot forward for next week.’’
It was not yet known if Smith or fullback Jordie Barrett would assume the goalkicking duties.
It might be a case of a job-share like the one Barrett shares with his brother Beauden, with Jordie taking the longer penalty kicks and Smith taking the closerange ones and conversions given his reputation for kicking accuracy.
Smith can make clearing kicks with equal effectiveness off both feet – a feat which impressed halfback TJ Perenara – something his dad drilled into him from a young age.
‘‘He’d kick the balls back to me and encourage me to kick it off both feet. As a 10, it’s a good weapon to be able to do that.’’