Canes fans won’t believe
This wasn’t supposed to be the Hurricanes’ year. No, last season had all the makings of the longawaited drought breaker.
You remember, the fairytale farewell the Highlanders (and TMO) spoiled. Sad thing is that depressing end was nothing new for Hurricanes fans, merely another chapter in the 21 years of frustration and disappointment.
From a New Zealand perspective only impassioned Warriors fans can relate to the heartbreak hotel the Canes had a mortgage on.
Sure last year’s final defeat was incredibly difficult to swallow, but not totally unexpected given what had transpired from so many talented, gifted teams before them. Cullen, Lomu, Umaga... the list of famed figures who longed for silverware in the yellow and black goes on.
Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu departed for France empty-handed, along with Ben Franks and Jeremy Thrush, leaving a seemingly mighty rebuild ahead of the unassuming Chris Boyd and John Plumtree double act. Much credit they deserve.
This year’s campaign started with a 52-10 walloping in Canberra, one that lowered expectations further.
Gradually, though, the Canes gathered pace under the radar; timing their run to perfection by thumping the Crusaders in the final regular-season match in Christchurch to pickpocket top spot. They’ve now won seven straight. That’s no mean feat when you consider they’ve lost their full starting front row, Reggie Goodes, Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Dane Coles, and left Julian Savea on the bench the last two weeks. Who could have envisioned Loni Uhila emerging as a new cult star?
The unheralded locking combination of Michael Fatialofa and Vaea Fifita have gelled as well as beer and chips, not only filling the void left by Thrush and one-test All Black James Broadhurst but adding another dimension in broken play with their physicality and offloading.
Willis Halaholo has been a revelation at second five-eighth to the point where he’s now questioning why he’s leaving for Cardiff at the end of this season. Outside him Matt Proctor has defined the definition of dialled in, furthering his claims at centre.
Brad Shields continues to be the most underrated blindside flanker in New Zealand.
TJ Perenara, who assumed the captaincy in Coles’ absence, is now playing with maturity to match his undoubted skill and aggression. And then, of course, we have Beauden Barrett.
There’s not just no better first five-eighth in world rugby right now but no more influential player. Barrett makes things happen with almost every touch.
This week, Canes supporters still refuse to believe.
From Athletic Park to the Cake Tin there’s more than two decades of anguish.
Only when the bastard is knocked off will it be real. will finally