With no doubt about it the Hurricanes are playing some of their worst rugby in memory. In 2006 the Hurricanes made the finals, but lost to the Crusaders in very unusual conditions. In 2008 and 2009 the Hurricanes made it to the semi finals, before losing to the Waratahs and the Chiefs. The main point being, it has been the better part of the decade, since the Hurricanes were taken as such a joke. Now as a Hurricanes fan, it has been especially painful knowing that the form of the team, will likely have a factor in which players will be selected in the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand. So what is going wrong? Well, here are a few of my thoughts.
Our tight forwards, have been average at best. Neemia Tialata has been average as usual, but not any worse than he usually is, but it is John Schwalger who I have been most disappointed with. He had a pretty decent NPC, showing that he has a fairly solid running game which made up for his average scrummaging. However, this year he has been getting turned every scrum, and it's not doing his team any favours. Michael Bent is now set to replace Tialata again for Sunday's game against the Cheetah's, but I was anything but impressed with him in the past, and his disipline is like a penalty causing machine. Hore hasn't been spectacular, but not as bad as some would suggest, but in my opinion he should not be captain. Say what you like about So'oailo, he was at least a consistently good captain, and since Hore has been captain, the Canes have finished four places or more than when So'oialo or Umaga were captain.
Our locks have a similar problem as they always have, and it has been a long lasting weakness in the Canes. Other than Jason Eaton, who has been alright, but not the Eaton of 2007, there has been no outstanding locks in the Canes franchise since the S14 came about. Patterson showed he had promise, but then left, Bryn Evans was barely a spark in the pan, Thrush is riddled with inconsistency and no grunt and James Broadhurst has probably been the only half decent lock for the Canes this season. It's a constant weakness. I accept that we'll never be a great line out winner, espacially with Hore throwing, but what is really missing is a few proper grunt men. The Highlander and the Crusaders have probably the best locking departments in New Zealand at the moment, just because their locks don't try and make 100 runs a game, but rather do what they're supposed to do, and that is clear out the rucks, win the lineouts and have good pick and goes.
The loose trio for the Canes is another really strange problem. The reason it is strange, is that Victor Vito and Jack Lam have both had games in which they have shown their talent, but despite this, they need a good openside to actually win the ball. Serge Lilo is not it. At times like this, the Hurricanes need to take a good hard look at themselves and why the let Scott Waldrom go. He is exactly what they needed. Karl Lowe has been really missed by the Canes, but they need him back desperately if they want to try and maintain any dignity for this season. One thing is for sure, is that it seems a long time ago since the Canes could produce three quality All Blacks in Collins, Mascoe and an inform So'oailo to at least hide the mask the weakness in their tight five.
Weepu is missed probably the most at the moment. Eaton and Keats just aren't any threat at this level, and when you have uninspiring fly halves like Kirkpatrick on the field, or average goal kickers like Cruden, Weepu really seems like the missing partof the equation. We can only hope he gets fit and in form to make the All Blacks RWC squad, as when he is in form he is the best fly half in the country.
Now, as alluded to early, the stem of the Canes problems, is coming from fly half. Kirkpatrick has been found wanting on a number of occasions and looked below par playing for Hawkes Bay, never mind the Hurricanes. That being said, it's easy to see why Hammit would want to have a fly half who can kick instead of running a game, when in Cruden you have the exact opposite. Cruden has been showing that he just isn't ready to make the AB's as his kicking game just isn't quite what it needs to be, while the delivery to the 1st 5/8th has been essentially ruining the flat running game that Cruden has anyway. Fly half has been another position that the Canes have always had problems with, as the consistency of Gopperth and Holwell have always been questioned, but I'd take either right now over Kirkpatrick.
Now, out of all of these issues, none is more in the public eye than the form of what is considered by many to have been the best centre combination in the last decade, in Ma'a Nonu and the now injured Conrad Smith. The problem being is that with Sonny Bill Williams and Fruean running rampant for the Crusaders, the Hurricanes centres are looking very, very average. Now there are several main issues with the comparison between Fruean/Williams and Nonu/Smith, the main point of difference being that the Crusaders have a dominant pack and a quality 5/8th and the Hurricanes...don't. There is no doubt that the nifty off loading game of SBW has revolutionized the Crusaders attack, while Robert Frueans combination of skill and just pure hard running is something which is making the Crusaders a joy to watch. With that in mind, we have seen time and time again how well Nonu and especially Smith do for the All Blacks, and part of the reason being, is that the form of the team permits them to be as good as they are. Even the most bias and loyal SBW fan will admit he would not shine like he does, when playing for this Hurricanes side.
In the back three we are also being exposed. Gear made a solid and expected return last week, however we are not seeing the amazing running and counter attacking game that most would have expected, with a back three that involves arguably two first choice All Blacks in Jane and Gear and the IRB Jnr Player of the Year 2010 in the blockbusting Julian Savea. Whether it is just the pressure of being in a losing team is getting to them, you would still expect better, especially considering how hard Hosea Gear has worked to get in the AB frame. With competition from the very exciting Lelia Masaga and the clinical Maitland as well as other traditional All Blacks in Rokocoko and Sivivatu, you'd have to expect for both Jane and Gear to be playing some of their best rugby, as both of them will be after a spot for the wing.
The final issue which has been brought up, is the coaching. Blaming the coaches often seems like a way to pass the buck, but some of the decisions that have been made are obviously poor. Kirkpatrick should not be anywhere near the team, with Beuden Barrett only now being called as cover for an injured Cruden. The offensive patterns have been rubbish, and the lethal attacking game the Hurricanes have always possessed has been blunted to say the least. It just appears he has turned a side which produces a 50/50 combination of magic attacking and stupid errors, into a 100% stupid errors. Whether or not he should have got the job is in question, with Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie both looking like better options in hind site, and the knee jerk reaction of keeping Hammet in New Zealand, seems to have come to the detriment of traditionally one of the power houses of the tornament.
Our tight forwards, have been average at best. Neemia Tialata has been average as usual, but not any worse than he usually is, but it is John Schwalger who I have been most disappointed with. He had a pretty decent NPC, showing that he has a fairly solid running game which made up for his average scrummaging. However, this year he has been getting turned every scrum, and it's not doing his team any favours. Michael Bent is now set to replace Tialata again for Sunday's game against the Cheetah's, but I was anything but impressed with him in the past, and his disipline is like a penalty causing machine. Hore hasn't been spectacular, but not as bad as some would suggest, but in my opinion he should not be captain. Say what you like about So'oailo, he was at least a consistently good captain, and since Hore has been captain, the Canes have finished four places or more than when So'oialo or Umaga were captain.
Our locks have a similar problem as they always have, and it has been a long lasting weakness in the Canes. Other than Jason Eaton, who has been alright, but not the Eaton of 2007, there has been no outstanding locks in the Canes franchise since the S14 came about. Patterson showed he had promise, but then left, Bryn Evans was barely a spark in the pan, Thrush is riddled with inconsistency and no grunt and James Broadhurst has probably been the only half decent lock for the Canes this season. It's a constant weakness. I accept that we'll never be a great line out winner, espacially with Hore throwing, but what is really missing is a few proper grunt men. The Highlander and the Crusaders have probably the best locking departments in New Zealand at the moment, just because their locks don't try and make 100 runs a game, but rather do what they're supposed to do, and that is clear out the rucks, win the lineouts and have good pick and goes.
The loose trio for the Canes is another really strange problem. The reason it is strange, is that Victor Vito and Jack Lam have both had games in which they have shown their talent, but despite this, they need a good openside to actually win the ball. Serge Lilo is not it. At times like this, the Hurricanes need to take a good hard look at themselves and why the let Scott Waldrom go. He is exactly what they needed. Karl Lowe has been really missed by the Canes, but they need him back desperately if they want to try and maintain any dignity for this season. One thing is for sure, is that it seems a long time ago since the Canes could produce three quality All Blacks in Collins, Mascoe and an inform So'oailo to at least hide the mask the weakness in their tight five.
Weepu is missed probably the most at the moment. Eaton and Keats just aren't any threat at this level, and when you have uninspiring fly halves like Kirkpatrick on the field, or average goal kickers like Cruden, Weepu really seems like the missing partof the equation. We can only hope he gets fit and in form to make the All Blacks RWC squad, as when he is in form he is the best fly half in the country.
Now, as alluded to early, the stem of the Canes problems, is coming from fly half. Kirkpatrick has been found wanting on a number of occasions and looked below par playing for Hawkes Bay, never mind the Hurricanes. That being said, it's easy to see why Hammit would want to have a fly half who can kick instead of running a game, when in Cruden you have the exact opposite. Cruden has been showing that he just isn't ready to make the AB's as his kicking game just isn't quite what it needs to be, while the delivery to the 1st 5/8th has been essentially ruining the flat running game that Cruden has anyway. Fly half has been another position that the Canes have always had problems with, as the consistency of Gopperth and Holwell have always been questioned, but I'd take either right now over Kirkpatrick.
Now, out of all of these issues, none is more in the public eye than the form of what is considered by many to have been the best centre combination in the last decade, in Ma'a Nonu and the now injured Conrad Smith. The problem being is that with Sonny Bill Williams and Fruean running rampant for the Crusaders, the Hurricanes centres are looking very, very average. Now there are several main issues with the comparison between Fruean/Williams and Nonu/Smith, the main point of difference being that the Crusaders have a dominant pack and a quality 5/8th and the Hurricanes...don't. There is no doubt that the nifty off loading game of SBW has revolutionized the Crusaders attack, while Robert Frueans combination of skill and just pure hard running is something which is making the Crusaders a joy to watch. With that in mind, we have seen time and time again how well Nonu and especially Smith do for the All Blacks, and part of the reason being, is that the form of the team permits them to be as good as they are. Even the most bias and loyal SBW fan will admit he would not shine like he does, when playing for this Hurricanes side.
In the back three we are also being exposed. Gear made a solid and expected return last week, however we are not seeing the amazing running and counter attacking game that most would have expected, with a back three that involves arguably two first choice All Blacks in Jane and Gear and the IRB Jnr Player of the Year 2010 in the blockbusting Julian Savea. Whether it is just the pressure of being in a losing team is getting to them, you would still expect better, especially considering how hard Hosea Gear has worked to get in the AB frame. With competition from the very exciting Lelia Masaga and the clinical Maitland as well as other traditional All Blacks in Rokocoko and Sivivatu, you'd have to expect for both Jane and Gear to be playing some of their best rugby, as both of them will be after a spot for the wing.
The final issue which has been brought up, is the coaching. Blaming the coaches often seems like a way to pass the buck, but some of the decisions that have been made are obviously poor. Kirkpatrick should not be anywhere near the team, with Beuden Barrett only now being called as cover for an injured Cruden. The offensive patterns have been rubbish, and the lethal attacking game the Hurricanes have always possessed has been blunted to say the least. It just appears he has turned a side which produces a 50/50 combination of magic attacking and stupid errors, into a 100% stupid errors. Whether or not he should have got the job is in question, with Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie both looking like better options in hind site, and the knee jerk reaction of keeping Hammet in New Zealand, seems to have come to the detriment of traditionally one of the power houses of the tornament.
