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The hits just keep on coming.
The hits just keep on coming.
We’re all set for another action packed weekend of Super Rugby Pacific and the focus turns to the first of two New Zealand derbies.
The third placed Highlanders welcome the Hurricanes who currently sit in last place on the SRP table. It’s still early days, there’s a lot of rugby still to play but something that will rightly worry Hurricane’s fans is that the Highlanders have a game in hand over the Wellington based side.
The Hurricanes have fallen agonisingly short in each of their losses so far this season. They’re not far off from a perfect record, however last week’s loss to Moana Pasifika is unacceptable for a team with loftier ambitions.
Jamie Joseph’s return to Dunedin is like the second coming, literally. You can see his stamp all over this team. It’s a far cry from the homegrown, yet star studded team, that took home the trophy in 2015 but this team is playing with an identity for the first time in years. The Highlanders have definitely taken a Moneyball approach when building their squad but Joseph has put the pieces together and their performances have been a lot greater than the sum of their parts.
Lets take a look at some of the talking points ahead of this Aotearoa derby:
We Need to Talk About Kevin.
Well actually it’s Jordie, but in the book the kid’s name is Kevin…
We soldier on.
No one’s talking about it and I think it points to the delusion, frailty or lack of confidence in New Zealand Rugby at the minute. They can’t stand over their mistakes, in fact they don’t even want to address them!
So I’m going to have to be the one who says it, this Hurricane’s team desperately misses Jordie Barrett. That’s not a criticism of the Hurricanes, any team would. He’s one of the world’s best players, yet as an organisation the Hurricanes are putting their head down and soldiering on. I appreciate they’re not looking for excuses but by not addressing the massive gap I think they’re doing themselves a disservice.
Rugby and Its Love of Corporate Speak
Have you heard of addition by subtraction? The idea that less is more or that simply by removing an element you can make it better. Does your partner add mustard to everything? Can you picture that one team member who does not work but arrives in the nick of time when the credits being handed out? You’re starting to get me now.
Well, let me take you another step further, have you heard of the even more basic concept of subtraction by subtraction? It’s kind of like, when you let your club captain walk out the door to play for another SRP franchise and now suddenly your whole squad is missing that clutch mentality.
Once again, no one wants to talk about the fact that Ardie Savea has left the building and this Hurricanes team looks devoid of experience. There is quality littered throughout but in the important moments, they’re lacking the leadership and know how to finish out games.
These are two glaring holes in the Hurricanes’ team and it’s showing on the competition table.
The Stage is Set for All Blacks to Emerge
The Kiwi derbies are not only points on the board, tribal rivalries, they’re opportunities for the next generation to announce themselves to Scott Robertson.
No one in New Zealand Rugby has done this better than Timoci Tavatavanawai. The former winger has shifted into the centres and hasn’t looked back since. Now operating in the number 12 shirt, the Highlander has already been described as “Ma’a Nonu on steroids”. The inside centre will have benefited from the week off which is bad news for the Hurricanes who are going to have their hands full containing a player in such red hot form. SRP is a gruelling competition and only time will tell if his physical style of play will last the length of the season, but Tavatavanawai has been one of if not the standout player so far in this year’s competition.
If the Highlanders are to continue their winning ways against a Hurricanes team desperate for a result, Jamie Joseph is going to need his man up the middle to deliver another eye catching performance. Dunedin is a great place to play rugby and the Hurricanes are the perfect opposition to set the table for a barnstorming game.
