Super 14 Favourites Open Their Account

Hurricanes (2008 Position: Seventh)

vs Waratahs (2008 Position: Runners Up)

@ Westpac Stadium Wellington – 7:35pm local

Head to Head: Played 14, Hurricanes 8, Waratahs 6

Last match: Waratahs 20 Hurricanes 3 at Sydney

The match of the round, with the Waratahs travelling to New Zealand’s capital to take on the team that many regard as the tournament favourites.

On paper, the Hurricanes drip with class, boasting no less than 12 past or current All Blacks.  Their team named to take on NSW features nine men who toured with the Grand Slam winning team of last year, and even without Andrew Hore and Conrad Smith, it is a very impressive match line up.

For all of the talent and experience, it is the bridesmaid mentality that they must arrest.  Three semi-finals appearances in the last four years, and Wellington (the central union for the team) has featured amazingly in five of the last six NPC and Air New Zealand Cup finals.  But still, they have won no title since winning the NPC in 2000.

Despite no title, they have the pedigree and the attacking mentality that has the team well equipped to hoist their maiden super rugby title.  Even without the host of international players, they are littered with depth, drawing on more provincial unions than any other New Zealand franchise.

New South Wales are in somewhat of a transition period, with Chris Hickey the new coach, and having lost keys forwards Rocky Elsom, Dan Vickerman, and David Lyons. 

Despite this, they still will field a strong side, but with Matt Dunning and Sekope Kepu out for the season, they will struggle to compete.  Especially considering that in recent seasons the hallmark of Waratah power was their dominance in the set piece.

Combined with Hickey’s desire to have his NSW team play a more expansive game rather than the pragmatism seen in previous years, well, it is difficult to know what to expect.  But a starting 22 that feature 13 players with international experience will still be a threat to any side it comes across.

There is still plenty of talent and ability to beat the high flying Hurricanes.  In the corresponding opening round match last year, the Waratahs restricted them to just three points, their lowest match score since 1999.

However, despite expectations that are deservingly high in the capital city, the Hurricanes should still be far too strong for a well balanced Waratahs team.  The Super 14 favourites to register a win on their opening game by five points.

Hurricanes:15 Cory Jane, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Piri Weepu, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Rodney So'oialo (c), 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Dane Coles, 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements:16 Ged Robinson, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Jeremy Thrush/Api Naikatini, 19 Karl Lowe, 20 Dan Kirkpatrick, 21 Jason Kawau.

Waratahs:15 Sam Norton-Knight, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Timana Tahu, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Scott Fava, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Will Caldwell, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements:16 Adam Freier, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Chris Thomson, 19 Wycliff Palu, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Tom Carter, 22 Daniel Halangahu.