The Hurricanes will be very happy with their work in the 2015 Super Rugby season so far, as they relax on their second ‘bye’ weekend they sit atop the table with 31 points.
After playing seven games and winning every single one, the ‘Canes are three points clear of the second placed Chiefs and have a game in hand on their rivals.
Now all rugby fans know what the Wellington franchise is capable of, they have developed a reputation for open, attractive rugby, scoring 22 tries in their seven games so far this season. Sadly as modern rugby has taught fans, this isn’t the way to win championships.
Last year, the ‘Canes were guilty of blowing away some sides but when they were forced to play forward based rugby and grind out results, they would inevitably lose.
This has been the real turning point this year for the Hurricanes, they still play a superb brand of rugby but they are now winning the games they would have lost last year.
In games against the, Bulls, Blues, Highlanders and Stormers, the Hurricanes have fronted up and ground out the victory, all won by less than a converted try.
There have been switches in the off season amongst the squad, the most notable being Ma’a Nonu returning to the franchise.
Nonu has been nothing short of fantastic in the opening rounds of Super Rugby. The centre has given the Hurricanes go forward and consistently crosses the gain line. This we expect from Nonu but his kicking game is an undervalued asset and has taken pressure off Beauden Barrett.
Partnered with fellow All Black centre, Conrad Smith, the pairing has been outstanding in giving Julian Savea the tiny amount of space he needs to cause trouble.
At fullback, there were worries when Andre Taylor left the ‘Canes last season, the Kiwi was an underrated cog in a backline of superstars. However, Nehe Milner-Skudder has been brought in and performed excellently, showing himself to be a try scoring threat as well as a safe operator in the back field.
The key change perhaps has come with the coach; Mark Hammett left for the Cardiff Blues and has since departed Cardiff Arms Park as well. In in place Chris Boyd has come in and instilled the belief that the Hurricanes can win these tight matches.
For all the flowery rugby that Hammett’s Hurricanes did play, it has to be said that he underachieved with the galaxy of stars he had to work with.
Boyd is showing that as after eight rounds he has almost double the points tally that the ‘Canes had at this time last year.
Is it the year of the ‘Canes? If they continue like this they could well be on for their first ever Super Rugby title.
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