Waikato Times

Coles hopeful of playing, Barrett skips training

- HAMISH BIDWELL

It was a tale of two stars, at Hurricanes training on Thursday.

One participat­ed, but appears unlikely to play, while the other was tucked up in bed but is certain to front for Saturday’s Super Rugby semifinal against the Chiefs.

Dane Coles was the trainer, doing some ‘‘high-intensity’’ running to test out his injured ribs. The Hurricanes captain will be given until ‘‘7.34[pm] and a half,’’ on Saturday to prove his fitness, but must be at massive odds to lead the team out at Westpac Stadium.

Coles is yet to do a contact session, or pack a scrum, and both would put massive strain on his rib-cartilage problem.

Meanwhile, star first fiveeighth Beauden Barrett didn’t even make it to training, as he tried to shake off a cold. Boyd was sure Barrett would be fine for Friday’s Captain’s Run, though, then the following night’s game.

Having any doubt surroundin­g the fitness of key performers is hardly ideal preparatio­n for a playoff match. But, from Coles on down, the Hurricanes have adopted a very matter-of-fact approach the situation.

If he can cope with the pain, he’ll play. If he can’t, he has every confidence that Ricky Riccitelli and Leni Apisai will be adequate replacemen­ts.

Coles’ ribs appeared tender on Thursday, as he made heavy weather picking up some boots on his way back to the dressing room. But he’s feeling a darn sight better than he did after suffering the injury just after halftime in the team’s 41-0 quarterfin­al win over the Sharks.

‘‘I’ve never had pain like that in my life. I thought I was having a heart attack, to be honest,’’ Coles said. ‘‘I just couldn’t breathe - that was the hardest thing - and it just hurt to walk.’’

Unable to sleep, Coles eventually sat up all night watching the Chiefs and Crusaders play their quarterfin­als over in South Africa.

But it’s one thing to be able to run around and quite another to play in his usual robust fashion. Coles is desperate to to be out there on Saturday, but not if it means

being a liability. He hadn’t sought, nor tried on, any protective equipment and said he wouldn’t ‘‘wear anything.’’ ‘‘If I take a hit, I take a hit.’’ Provided he can negotiate some contact work on Friday, the last hurdle will be the team’s warm-up on Saturday night.

It really is hard to imagine Coles playing, so you assume Riccitelli and Apisai are totally prepared.

As for Barrett, Boyd said there was no reason to panic.

‘‘Beauden’s got a cold or a virus or something, I’m not 100 per cent sure, but the doc said it was best for him not to train today.’’

Rain had been forecast for the session, which contribute­d to the decision that Barrett was better off at home. As it stands, the bracketing of Coles and Riccitelli at hooker represents the only potential change to the Hurricanes side that beat the Sharks.

 ?? PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES ?? Damian McKenzie produced a man-of-the-match display in the quarterfin­al against the Stormers and will be key to the Chiefs’ chances in Saturday night’s semifinal against the Hurricanes.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Damian McKenzie produced a man-of-the-match display in the quarterfin­al against the Stormers and will be key to the Chiefs’ chances in Saturday night’s semifinal against the Hurricanes.
 ??  ?? Injured Hurricanes captain Dane Coles.
Injured Hurricanes captain Dane Coles.

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