HOW THEY LINE UP
Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (c), Tim Bateman, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Jeremy Thrush, Jason Eaton, Jeffery Toomaga-allen, Dane Coles, Ben May. Reserves: Motu Matu’u, Michael Bent, James Broadhurst, Brad Shields, Chris Eaton, Dan Kirkpatrick, Charlie Ngatai. firstly from ourselves,’’ Jane said.
Jane, who was a star of the All Blacks successful World Cup campaign, also said it did not feel right to relinquish his test jersey by simply heading overseas.
‘‘I didn’t want to be that person who goes off overseas and thinks they still could have been an All Black for a couple more years,’’ he said. ‘‘Then I’d start running my mouth saying, ‘If I’d been there I’d still be in the All Blacks’, that kind of stuff.
‘‘I didn’t want to be that person, so I thought about that and thought, I’ll give it a crack till I know I can’t make it anymore. Then my decision to go overseas will feel better.’’
Jane will make his 61st appearance for the Hurricanes against the Highlanders at Westpac Stadium tomorrow night on the right wing.
And although he believes the squad has come a long way in a short time: ‘‘As a young team going away with a bunch of guys who had never played in front or those big crowds, even here in New Zealand, and going to South Africa to play in front of those huge crowds was a big ask.
‘‘We got a bit of respect within the team and a few other people are starting to respect us, but we know it’s early. We haven’t played any New Zealand teams yet. Every team is a bit different, but
Cory Jane says he has enjoyed being part of the new Hurricanes environment and will stay in New Zealand until the end of 2014. this team will give everything.’’
Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett has named an unchanged squad to the one that beat the Force 46-19 in Perth. Meanwhile, the unbeaten Highlanders are to name their side today.