Hunt set to get the nod at No 10
Mitch Hunt could don a fake beard and frizzy afro wig, and probably still be recognised when he disembarks at Wellington Airport later this week.
With Richie Mo’unga unavailable for six to eight weeks following surgery on his fractured jaw, a result of butting heads with replacement Stormers prop Steven Kitshoff last Saturday night, Hunt is at very short odds to dust-off the Crusaders’ No 10 jersey and start against the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night.
Last year Hunt, then an enthusiastic rookie, became a minor celebrity when his dramatic longrange drop goal against the Highlanders in Christchurch was voted by the public as their Favourite Sporting Moment at the Halberg Awards.
So there goes any chance of him arriving in the capital as a relative unknown, playing the role of the I’m-just-happy-to-be-here substitute.
The Crusaders haven’t won in Wellington since 2012, and not surprisingly this New Zealand derby promises to be loaded with the sort of rugged behaviour that may have officials squeamishly calling for the TMO to pull out his magnifying glass.
Given his pedigree it’s not going to blow anyone’s mind to be told Crusaders assistant backs coach Ronan O’Gara, a former Ireland first-five, knows something about big-game scenarios.
His advice to Hunt as he prepares to stare across the advantage line at All Black Beauden Barrett was simple: ‘‘I would say enjoy it,’’ O’Gara said. ‘‘It’s an opportunity, he knows that he can do it and he’s delivered for his team-mates before and they have huge confidence in him.
‘‘So, listen, it’s 80 minutes. It’s not Mitch Hunt against Beauden Barrett, but it’s a chance for him to enjoy it and express himself. That’s why as a kid you play rugby.’’
Injuries could yet force the Crusaders to rejig their back row. O’Gara said blindside flanker Pete Samu, who had to exit the Stormers game because of a shoulder injury, would be assessed again on Tuesday. As will Jordan Taufua, who retired with a sore foot.
Openside flanker Matt Todd, who broke his thumb in the opening game against the Chiefs, was to have his hand inspected by a specialist on Monday evening to decide when he can return.
O’Gara said Mo’unga had accepted he has to be patient following his successful surgery. His job, now, is to concentrate on getting fit so he can come back firing and prove himself to the All Blacks selectors ahead of the three-test series against France in June.
‘‘He’s very disappointed at the minute, but even since Saturday night to now there has been a change in attitude,’’ O’Gara added.
‘‘He is very positive, he is a very pleasant kid. The most important thing for us is that it is early in the season, I think Richie will be playing tests for the All Blacks going forward as well so with every cloud there is a silver lining as they say.
Suffocating Barrett at every given moment, either by putting the acid on the Hurricanes’ setpieces or rushing-up in defence, will be an obvious priority.
O’Gara, who helped coach Dan Carter at French club Racing Metro, gave Barrett a five-star ranking.
‘‘He fills grounds, he excites people. Everything that is good about rugby, is what Beauden Barrett does,’’ O’Gara acknowledged.
‘‘He is an exception talent, he has probably nearly redefined No 10 play.
‘‘I think Dan was obviously, and still is probably, the best No 10 in the world over all the decades. But Beauden Barrett is very exciting and potentially going to challenge him for that title.’’