Hurricanes Super 14 season preview: Canes have imposing pack of All Blacks

By Greg Clark
February 04, 2010.

With five semi-final appearances in the past seven seasons, the Hurricanes are long overdue for that elusive title.

Apart from reaching the final in 2006, when they lost to the Crusaders, every other appearance in the semis has resulted in disappointment. Hence you have to question their mental strength in the big games.

Coach Colin Cooper is back for an eighth season at the helm, and surely this will be his last chance to win a title with the boys from the Kiwi capital, Wellington.

Cooper has earned the respect of his players and opponents over the years, and he’ll be bitterly disappointed if this year’s squad can’t deliver for him.

With a stack of All Blacks forwards to call on again this year, the Canes will have an imposing pack.

Rodney So’oialo, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata and Jason Eaton are all going around again, and they’re determined not to fall at one of final hurdles this season.

International centre pairing Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith will spearhead the backline, which again possesses exciting finishers like Cory Jane and Hosea Gear. But they have lost 2009 All Blacks debutant Zac Guildford to the Crusaders, and that could hurt them if the outside backs are injured.

The Hurricanes have two of their first three games at home before a tough three-match road trip to South Africa.

They finish the regular season with two successive home games before a final-round assignment against New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney. That could be a problem if they haven’t already booked a spot in the semis.

Fox Facts: Hurricanes

Home ground: Westpac Stadium, McLean Park, Arena Manawatu, Yarrow Stadium
Coach: Colin Cooper
Best Super 12/14 finish: Runners-up 2006
Last season: P13 W9 D0 L4 F380 A279 BP8 Pts44 (fourth)

Squad:

James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Cruden, Jason Eaton, Jacob Ellison, Tamati Ellison, Bryn Evans, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore (C), Cory Jane, Jason Kawau, Tyson Keats, Karl Lowe, Ma'a Nonu, Michael Paterson, Anthony Perenise, Willie Ripia, John Schwalger, Conrad Smith, David Smith, Rodney So'oialo, Andre Taylor, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Victor Vito, Scott Waldrom, Piri Weepu

Gains: Tyson Keats (Crusaders), Michael Paterson (Crusaders), Aaron Cruden (Manawatu)

Losses: Zac Guildford (Crusaders), Alby Mathewson (Blues), Dan Kirkpatrick (Blues), Tim Fairbrother (Force)

Hurricanes' Head-To-Head Records

Week 1, v Blues (away)
H2H: Played 14: Won 4, Drawn 1, Lost 9 -
In Auckalnd: Played 7: Won 2, Lost 5 -

Week 2, v Western Force (home)
H2H: Played 4: Won 3, Lost 1 +
In Wellington/New Plymouth: Played 2: Won 2, Lost 0 +

Week 3, v Lions (home)
H2H: Played 12: Won 9, Lost 3 +
In Wellington/Palmerston North/New Plymouth: Played 6: Won 6, Lost 0 +

Week 4, v Cheetahs (away)
H2H: Played 2: Won 1, Lost 1 =
In Bloemfontein: Played 8: Won 8 +

Week 5, v Stormers (away)
H2H: Played 12: Won 6, Lost 6 =
In Cape Town: Played 6: Won 3, Lost 3 =

Week 6, v Bulls (away)
H2H: Played 12: Won 7, Lost 5 +
In Pretoria: Played 6: Won 4, Lost 2 +

Week 7, v Sharks (home)
H2H: Played 12: Won 6, Drawn 1, Lost 5 +
In Wellington/Palmerston North/New Plymouth: Played 6: Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 2 +

Week 8, v Crusaders (home)
H2H: Played 18: Won 3, Draw 1, Lost 13 -
In Wellington/Napier/New Plymouth: Played 7: Won 2, Lost 5 -

Week 9, Bye

Week 10, v Brumbies (away)
H2H: Played 15: Won 7, Lost 8 -
In Canberra: Played 8: Won 3, Lost 5 -

Week 11, v Highlanders (away)
H2H: Played 14: Won 9, Lost 5 +
In Otago: Played 7: Won 3, Lost 4 -

Week 12, v Chiefs (home)
H2H: Played 15: Won 8, Lost 7 +
In Wellington/Palmerston North/New Plymouth: Played 7: Won 4 Lost 3 +

Week 13, v Queensland Reds (home)
H2H: Played 14: Won 9, Lost 5 +
In Wellington/Palmerston North/New Plymouth: Played 7: Won 5, Lost 2 +

Week 14 v New South Wales Waratahs (away)
H2H: Played 18: Won 8, Lost 7 +
In Sydney: Played 7: Won 2, Lost 5 -