Hurricanes Reaching Final More Than an Educated Guess

By securing a berth in the Super Rugby grand final, the Hurricanes have confirmed some far-reaching expectations. Fans of the franchise will tell you ‘it was a sure thing’ while others; including this reporter, would say that it was More Than an Educated Guess.

Last Saturday, they defeated one of the top New Zealand teams in a wet and windy Wellington. Home conditions to a degree, but the Chiefs offered up a first-rate challenge that the Hurricanes met. It meant that they had accomplished the goals that the team set for themselves, as much as what others had set for them. Now, they will host the final for two consecutive years. Fans have lapped up every available ticket because they want to help their team say proudly “this is Our Hour. This is our time”.

#OurHouse @WestpacStadium just became a #FullHouse @SuperRugby @LionsRugbyUnion pic.twitter.com/RPRQmCoAQr

— Hurricanes Rugby (@Hurricanesrugby) August 2, 2016

The Chris Boyd coached side had reached the 2015 final after a standout season. That side won the Premiership [overall first placing] by winning 14 out of 16 games. Showing real form all the way to the final, they had high hopes of taking their maiden Championship. Only stopped short by a committed Highlanders side late in the final, after that let-down fans assumptions of further success this season might have proved to be a tougher test to pass.

Road to the final

The ‘Road to the Final’ this year has been even more daunting when you consider the initial barriers to success. From playing roster changes, retirements and new signings, on top of a new competition format. Besides the challenges within, the franchise had to counter supporters shear dis-belief at that inconsolable ‘trip at the final hurdle’. The side needed to re-engage with a public overcoming the heights of expectation. Even with some positive predictions from the media, reaching this years final was not a ‘long shot’ after all.

More than an educated guess, last weekend they deserved to play the Chiefs in the penultimate game of the season. They had turned in a stellar performance, winning their last seven matches and won well on Saturday, to earn their place in this weeks finale. Last Word On Sports salutes the kiwi team and believes player and coaches self belief in themselves is why they appear in another final. Certainly not a huge surprise to some, and certainly more than an educated guess for a franchise who still believed they can finally achieve Championship success in 2016.

Predictions can often be wide of the mark

For a competition lasting over 17 rounds, four months of intense rugby could foresee-ably have seen one team dominate. Super Rugby is so tough, a team with high standards might put themselves clear of the ‘chasing pack’. The Crusaders have done it, last year the ‘Canes did it. When analysed though, that factor was missing in 2016. Evidence from the final round of regular play reinforces the level playing field, as it saw the Hurricanes leap seven places to finish top-of-the-table.

It proved how close this season was, congested right to the end of season. Some might say it was luck that allowed the Hurricanes to be seeded number one. To counter that, Chris Boyd would say “you make your own luck”. Knowing that, some predictions can often be wide of the mark. More often, they are merely ‘intuitive’. Many predicted the Crusaders or Chiefs to perform this year. Even the Waratahs or Brumbies, Stormers or Bulls, so for the Hurricanes to outlast those former champion teams deserves credit. As does the Lions effort.

Difficult start to Super Rugby season

After the opening round, the Hurricanes were handed a 52-10 thrashing at the hands of the Brumbies. A poor start, and that was followed up by a close 17-16 loss in Dunedin. Witnessing that match first hand, it was not as devastating as the Canberra loss was but fans needed to be concerned. A difficult start admittedly, very different to that of 2015. Last year, the side had what many called the ‘perfect start’ in a run of nine straight victories. Ended by the Waratahs in round 10, fans and commentators were truly impressed with the sides progression.

Then, improvement from past years efforts was put down to the new coaching staff, Ma’a Nonu returning to his Hurricane home and a good draw. A wealth of talent also promoted an enterprising mentality in their game and matchday confidence. The ‘Canes have always been the ‘razzle-dazzle’ entertainers but consistency was not their core standard. With concentration on basics first, they held the number one position right up to the final round.

During the current season, it improved steadily over the course of the competition. Close losses to the Chiefs, followed by their fourth loss in South Africa, the side had to look inwards for strength. The trigger-point was an incident relating to a team curfew. Five senior players breached a team understanding and on returning to NZ, those men were stood down. That included stars Julian and Ardie Savea, Victor Vito, Chris Eves and Cory Jane.

Strong team culture

Such a call would have placed immense pressure on a group without a high resolve but after a strengthening win, it was turned into a positive. It reinforced a team culture that is based on self respect and where stars are left on the change room floor. Prior to the season, missing All Blacks, the group challenged each other in pre-season conditioning. Brad Shields made it clear when he said “we set the level, and they [All Blacks] have to meet our standards”. That work ethic relies on unity and it brought the side together.

A cosmopolitan side, the mix of personalities has been used as a strength, not as a weakness. No divisions exist and that translates into the players and fans passion. A strong team needs strong support, so the 2016 franchise has reached out to rebuild any lost confidence (after the 2015 final). Matches in Eketahuna, a camp is Gisbourne and time within the region gave them a connection with the fans. A powerful reminder of who your stakeholders are.

They will host the grand final at Wellington Regional Stadium. Known as Westpac Stadium, fans now it more now as ‘OUR HOUSE’. The main image of this article shows team members walking out of the players tunnel. The message is boldly written for players to read as they run onto the pitch–so opposition players read it too. A full house on Saturday will be a great emotional boost for the side and for the fans that support ‘their team’.

Canes peaking at the right end of season

It is a critical part of the season now. Players must be at their physical peak for ‘knockout’ rugby. Conditioning is key, so any injuries can play on the minds of young athletes. The ‘Canes have only had sporadic men removed this season. Dane Coles recent injury might not a ‘spanner in the works’ at this stage of the season, but at any other time it might have been devastating. He was given right up until match day to decide on his fitness. Withdrawn, TJ Perenara (pictured) did a marvelous job and his form is peaking at the right time. Fans will hope Coles can come through this weeks training and run out on Saturday night.

Recovering from the Semi-Finals

His team mates might be sore after such a bruising semi final match against the Chiefs, but so will the Lions. They had to survive a Highlanders fightback until they finished the job at the three-quarter mark. That side will be playing in their first ever final. In that mind, each side will have planned on their players reaching August with good physical conditioning. Long hours in the gym might now pay off with that ‘one percent advantage’ gained from good pre-season work. No team can afford to carry any dead weight, so each man is expected to carry his load this weekend.

And that leads to the final cog in the Hurricanes wheel: Julian Savea. He has been a frighteningly good footballer for several years now. Debuting in 2011, he has earned 78 caps and for several seasons was their game breaker. but lately he has gone through a form slump and in recent matches he has been on the reserves bench. Similar to his All Blacks recent form, the blockbusting winger really needs to ‘hit his straps’ now. Replaced by Jason Woodward, the fan favourite Savea needs to take his chances in the final. With bad memories of 2015 still fresh, where he dropped a ball with the line open. That might still haunt Savea and fans feel he needs to get past those memories. If he is going to be their champion winger again, he must take whatever chance Boyd provides him.

2016 mixture of both youth and experience

Dane Coles has been asked to step into the captaincy role this year and has embraced it. Not is his nature, but he has grown in stature since the Rugby World Cup and it ‘fits him’ well. Over this season, he has emerged from his shell and at hooker, he has the best view of the game–firstly at scrumtime, and then from the defensive line. Assisted by Perenara, TJ was a big part of last year and has developed even further this season. Not always first choice for the All Blacks, like other ‘Canes Nonu and Piri Weepu. They thrive in the Yellow and Black–his decoy run in the semi final won allowed Vito to score a wonderful try. In fact, this is Vito’s 100th Super Rugby game…can the fairy tale ending see him go to France holding gold?.

Men like Loni Uhila, Mark Abbott and Brad Shields are all leaders. Each work hard and brings a wealth of experience. For them, progressing to the final has been a way to rid themselves of the ‘hangover’ from 2015. While only five players from that final are in the squad, most were dissatisfied in their performance that night. 12 months has allowed them to mesh with new signings and to create a strong team culture. A fresh approach, a ‘been there, now we can approach it calmly’ on Saturday.