Canes ‘need to learn quickly’
OVER-EAGER won’t wash against the Blues, nor will feel-good vibes and positivity alone iron out the kinks that are holding the Hurricanes back.
It may sound negative after captain Conrad Smith’s young side took further strides in the right direction in losing 19-17 to the Highlanders at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night.
The pack matched the competition leaders at the ruck and scrum, the lineout and defence were excellent again, and there was some sparkling attack, albeit in spurts, with wing Julian Savea, in particular rediscovering his confidence and verve.
But what was lacking was polish, and against a now-desperate Blues side languishing in 14th place on the ladder, improvements will need to be made before Friday’s match at Eden Park.
‘‘We have to maintain that positivity,’’ Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett said. ‘‘There was no problem with the plan [against the Highlanders], but some of the individual execution wasn’t there. They won’t get down on themselves, but we have to be realistic.
‘‘We are professional footballers and you have to be hard on yourself and these guys will be.’’
Hammett wondered if his players were a tad over-eager in front of their home crowd and families – 14,647 attended – for the first time this season, and it was clear they were kicking themselves for giving up a lead late in the match.
‘‘There might have been a feeling of nervousness or anxiousness because we got up by a point . . . at this level like all top teams you have to keep playing. I’m very proud of the guys’ efforts, but we need to learn very quickly.’’
Possession continues to mount against the Hurricanes and handling errors, particularly off early phases, as well as needless penalties, must be eliminated.
Clearing pressure was a major problem against the Highlanders with firstfive Beauden Barrett’s timing uncharacteristically out when kicking from hand and halfback TJ Perenara also miscuing on several occasions.
The encouraging thing for the Hurricanes is that despite their problems they are making gains, both in their standing, eighth place, and their potential.
‘‘We could have won, but I still don’t think we’d be happy with how we played,’’ Smith said of the second loss from four outings.
‘‘He [Chris Noakes] could have missed the late kick and we could have won, but we didn’t play well, we’re better than that. We’ll have to prove that in the weeks to come.’’
When they can get and hold the ball, the Hurricanes look convincing and assured. No 8 Victor Vito had a mammoth game against the Highlanders with ball in hand and led a generally sound defence.
And Barrett guided the attack well on limited supply with Smith, Jane, Andre Taylor and now Savea, all looking in rich form and prop Jeffery Toomaga-allen making giant strides with each passing week.
Smith believed the challenge of the Blues would be welcomed by a Hurricanes side clearly challenging themselves to get better rather than content to have exceeded expectations thus far.
A major plus is there are no major injuries, though Toomaga-allen is nursing a sore ankle and Smith a large bump on his forehead.
That’s a contrast to the injuryriddled Blues, who have just one win from four matches. The squad spent 20-plus hours travelling back from the republic yesterday after being taken apart by the Stormers and have just four days to pick themselves up to play the Hurricanes.
Coach Pat Lam’s mood will not have improved with openside Luke Braid cited for alleged foul play during their 27-17 loss in Cape Town but, on the upside, prop Tony Woodcock rejoins the squad this week.