Runaway winners of the 2015 regular season, dropping just two games, and arguably dudded at the death in the Final, can the Hurricanes go one better in 2016 and finally deliver their long-suffering fans a Super Rugby title?
The Team
With no less than 30 players returning from 2015 and just nine new faces, this is one of the most stable squads in Hurricanes’ history.
The only significant signing is former Warrior Ngani Laumape who is not so much code-hopping as coming home to rugby after an injury-plagued time in league.
Ma’a Nonu – will be sorely missed in 2016
Forwards: Mark Abbott, Leni Apisai, James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Geoffrey Cridge, Chris Eves, Michael Fatialofa, Vaea Fifita, Callum Gibbins, Reggie Goodes, Iopu Iopu-Aso, Tony Lamborn, Christian Lloyd, Motu Matu’u, Ben May, Hugh Renton, Hisa Sasagi, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Blade Thomson, Jeffery To’omaga-Allen, Loni Uhila, Victor Vito.
Backs: Pita Ahki, Vince Aso, Beauden Barrett, Otere Black, Jamison Gibson-Park, Willis Halaholo, Cory Jane, Ngani Laumape, James Marshall, Nehe Milner-Skudder, TJ Perenara, Matt Proctor, Julian Savea, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, TJ Va’a, Jason Woodward.
Even a cursory glance at that squad tells you they have a formidable pack, even without former All Blacks Ben Franks and Jeremy Thrush this year, and an embarrassment of riches out wide—but a gaping hole where Messrs. Smith and Nonu used to be.
In Laumape they have a potential Nonu v2.0 (provided his horror run of injuries doesn’t follow him across from the NRL), but no-one appeals as the new C. Smith.
Conrad Smith – no likely replacement appeals
Best XV:
Forwards: Goodes, Coles, Toomaga-Allen, Abbott, Broadhurst, Vito, A Savea, Shields.
Backs: Perenara, Barrett, J Savea, Laumapei, Proctor, Milner-Skudder, Woodward.
Hooker Dan Coles will be the new Hurricanes skipper.
The Form
At the time of writing the Hurricanes had only one trial game = against the Force at Gosford. NSW, of all places. The Aussie westerners did not surrender a point as they scored four tries to nil against last year’s finalists in winning 28-0 despite being down to 13 men at one stage.
But the result was not a disaster for the Canes, because nine of the 26 players were playing for them for the first time. They were without 2015 World Cup All Blacks Milner-Skudder, Savea, Barrett, Perenara and Vito, whereas the Force had more of their first-pick players on the field.
The Draw
Byes in Rounds 6 and 13 mean their season breaks down into neat blocks of five, six, and (if they go all the way) seven matches.
They play the Chiefs and Blues twice and don’t have to go to South Africa until Round 10 for matches against the Lions and Sharks. Their away matches in Australia are Brumbies in Round 1, Rebels in Round 8, and Waratahs in Round 16.
In all they have seven home and eight away matches, but you’d have to rate some of the away fixtures as being against softish opposition.
Dan Coles – new Hurricanes skipper
The Prospects
Provided their midfield holds up there’s no reason the Hurricanes can’t go back-to-back as New Zealand conference champions.
Where they finish in the overall standings, however, may well depend on what happens in Canberra on February 26 and/or Sydney on July 9. Beating the Jaguares on April 9 (at home) would also go a long way toward seeing them go back-to-back as top qualifier.
The Prediction
Regular season: New Zealand conference winners.
Playoffs: Because no-one chokes like the Hurricanes—beaten semi-finalists.
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