In their first encounter during the 2016 Super Rugby season, the Hurricanes will face a massive challenge when they travel to AMI Stadium on Saturday night. A battle for conference position, with that in mind, expect the Hurricanes to invade Crusader territory Saturday afternoon.
They will fly down to meet the Crusaders, the seven-time Champions who are second in the New Zealand conference. The Christchurch team have led the competition before a loss two weeks ago in Fiji. That placed them second to the Chiefs, but all the New Zealand (NZ) sides are only within points of each other. An amazing feat after 16 rounds of Super Rugby.
Current New Zealand conference standings
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Top placed New Zealand side 2# Chiefs 51 | 5# Crusaders 50 | 6# Hurricanes 48 | 7# Highlanders 48
If that were not daunting enough, the winner could top the table (if other results go their way). Many variables would be needed–too many to list–before the Hurricanes could leap-frog both the Crusaders and Chiefs. Not impossible though, as the Hamilton team have to travel further south. They face the Highlanders in a double-header on Saturday night.
What more could fans ask for – two top class Super Rugby derby matches
Match one will have every bit of concentration from the Hurricanes. Runners-up in 2015, the Wellington team must covet a trophy season. They have reached the final on two occasions, and one of those was against the Crusaders. May 27, 2006 is known as the ‘Fog Final’ where a ‘weather-bomb’ settled over Lancaster Park and fans were left seeing nothing. Literally, the fog settled and fans, commentators and even players found it hard to function. In the strange final, the Richie McCaw directed team emerged victors over the ‘Canes 19-12.
That surreal game might not replicate the pressure that will be applied at 5:15pm this Saturday. The final round of the regular season, it is ‘all on the line’. While both sides have qualified for the elimination stages, neither side know where or who they will play. Not knowing that could play into Dane Coles and his Hurricanes.
They can use an ‘invasion’ mentality, to ride into town and take away the spoils. They will gain more than they can lose–in a way, they can play with freedom of abandon that can brings only benefits. Chance their arm if they are behind, to overcome the tough Crusaders side.
Who dares wins–attack the key to win
Kieran Read may be the more conservative leader on the park, in that he is more experienced. His years on Coles will count in game ‘savvy’ but that needs to translate into confidence and strategy. Possibly, conservative is not the right description because two-weeks ago he chose to kick for the sideline, instead of taking points. If that decision making carries on this week, they too could be in an offensive mindset.
And the attacking ability of each side is where the real ‘pitched battle’ will take place. The scrums may defeat each other, and even the lineouts could be quite even. The flankers and loose forwards will all work hard, all wanting to out-stretch the other. And fans will enjoy that combat between Jordan Taufua and Brad Shields. In Read facing fellow All Black Victor Vito. But the key match-up is at openside flanker.
MATT TODD v ARDIE SAVEA: For mine, these two men are opposites that will attract. The tight game of Todd versus the wider game of Savea. The latter was given the opportunity of wearing a Black shirt in 2016, and did not disappoint. He was explosive and abrasive. It earned him a lot of praise, while Todd was not selected [again] Note: Savea has just signed an extension on his NZ Rugby contract.
That personal battle will see plenty of focus. Head-to-head, it will be a terrific tussle. After Todd’s 50 metre run to the line, he proved that his legs can move at pace. And while Savea is know for his speed, conversely he must stay tight to counter the aggressive ‘Canes pack. In fact, they might draw in Savea to release their scrumhalf TJ Perenara and allow their backline over the advantage line.
Hurricane backline can attack from anywhere
While Andy Ellis is no slouch in the halfback role, the former All Blacks half does not have the electric pace of Perenara, who will want to outrun his opposite. They will challenge each other, while wanting to release the backline. Richie Mounga has developed extremely well this Super Rugby season. A good place kicker, he can spark an attack but relies most on his centre Ryan Crotty. The assured Crotty comes off several outstanding matches, as well as All Black duty.
The midfield will be an area where the relative inexperience of the Hurricanes may be shaded by the ‘Saders men, but they bring excitement and unpredictability. To cover that, the Crusaders fullback will play a key role. Israel Dagg get’s up for the big games. He rises to the occasion and his organisation will be a key to releasing the big Fijian Nemani Nadolo, as well as a player who impresses, Johnny McNichol. Scorer of three tries last week, he is elusive and while he could be tested under the high-ball, he needs to play his own game and not be distracted.
That is not an easy task–made more difficult by one Julian Savea.
Savea needs to lead the charge against the Crusaders
Many believe at the Rugby World Cup, Savea hit his peak. That was true. The unpleasant reality is that he has dropped form since, and is only just entering a rich-vein now. That may see him still struggle with decision making, but last week he grew in confidence and up against McNichol, Dagg and especially Nadolo, it might the challenge he delights in. Savea will rely on James Marshall to organize the defence and then the backline can hit their mark. It will a delight to behold on Saturday night.
That brings us to one of the best players in NZ rugby. Maybe the worlds best attacking first-five, Beauden Barrett is confident now and is performing well. His kicking on the run is good, using subtle changes and high-kicks to best effect. Fortunately for coach Chris Boyd, his place kicking his improved during the International window, which see’s him over 150 points in Super Rugby. That includes tries, as he is a lethal man with the ball. Todd Blackadder will also recognize that, so expect Barrett to be under a huge blanket defence.
Using the ball will be the Hurricanes secret weapon. They pass well and when they can spin it from side to side, using Marshall as first-receiver, they can be very deceiving and effective. That strategy will be their natural option; unless the conditions deteriorate. Rain and wind are forecast for Thursday/Friday, so if the conditions change, so too must the visitors game. Be smart and kick to the edges and commit Nadolo and Dagg.
Hurricanes To Invade Crusader Territory
This first match of a Super Rugby Saturday will be deserving of any final. The local derby games do everything that players speak of. They are ‘bloody hard matches’ as Dane Coles will tell us. They will take every ounce of energy, so with no long travel to recover from, each team should be at full fitness. Matt Proctor looks to be a non-starter but the head coach has been focusing on recovery from a tough Waratahs result first.
Quickly changing focus from an Australian side to a fellow Kiwi one, Boyd will understand the pressures of big matches. “We’ve been doing a little bit of work on the Crusaders for the last three or four days, in preparation for that game. Whoever scripted the draw’s done a pretty good job,” Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said. And this match will see both sides charge at each other with all guns blazing.
While this match is not war, we use words like battle and attack to describe the combat-like atmosphere. The Crusaders are an indomitable team, who grow in confidence while they are leading. If they find themselves in front with minutes to play, they will throw all their defence at the Hurricanes. It will be the ability of the visitors to counter that blanket defence. It might be in ‘unknown qualities’ such as a quick-tap or wide pass. Those actions that the coaching staff have not practiced the Crusaders to defend with.
If the Hurricanes can mount a successful battle-plan, then they will have everything to gain. A win is all they will be aiming for. As will their opponents. Every rugby fan will hold their breath as the teams face-off. Fans will be fully-focused as the Hurricanes to invade Crusader territory.
And then we have another riveting game immediately afterwards–the Highlanders v Chiefs. What a better way to end the regular season.
“Main photo credit”
