Hurricanes Need to Rapidly Adapt for Super 14 Glory

As the Wellington based franchise suffered its second consecutive first round loss to the Waratahs, Colin Cooper certainly has plenty to work on with his team.

Under normal circumstances, perhaps such heavy scrutiny would not be necessary for this game.  A 26-22 score represents a close game.  Both teams, especially the victorious Waratahs, can rightly point to match executed factors that won—or in the Hurricanes case—could have won them the game.

Firm examination though is required of Cooper and Captain Rodney So’oialo.  This is a team with a significant vintage, based on the fact that the nucleus of this team has made three Super 14 semi-finals in the last four years.  The senior provincial partner of the Hurricanes—Wellington—has made six of the last seven New Zealand domestic finals.

At full strength they will field 12 past or present All Blacks, more Test representatives than any other Super 14 team.  They have been touted as championship favourites.  It is a game they should have won.

First, it is prudent to state why the Waratahs won.

Their defence was magnificent.

Their composure was equally sound.  But outside of this, there was no major factor that the Waratahs enforced on the pre tournament favourites to win.

It is here that the inquisition must fall on the Hurricanes.

Firstly, we could point out that Stu Dickenson had a poor game.  It was not due to the fact that he is Australian (with no neutral referee’s in the 2008 competition).  But there was inconsistency with his policing of the all important ruck area. 

Midway through the first half he had warned the Waratahs during entrenchment on their own goal line that if ruck infringements continued, he would start awarding penalties. 

He never enforced this warning. 

So’oialo was clearly frustrated with the gratis given to the Waratahs at the ruck, and exhibited it in his post match interview.

But he clearly did not do enough to consistently remind Dickenson of his warnings to NSW. 

To avoid a cliché, the Hurricanes had enough statistical support to defeat the Waratahs.

It was most impressive how involved Ma’a Nonu was involved in the game.  He marshalled around the rucks constantly, and even made pick and drives as he ensured his evolving presence shown in 2008 will continue this year.

Rob Horne was possibly the Waratahs most destructive player.  It was not because he was completely brilliant, but because Nonu was so heavily involved with the tight play that he unwittingly left the centre channel open.

This was indicative of the Hurricanes in this match.

In Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, and Zac Guildford, the Hurricanes wielded a back three quarter line with two current All Blacks and one of last year’s Air New Zealand Cups inform wings.

But they were appallingly used throughout the match.

In the first half the Hurricanes kicked the ball out of hand often.  This is despite being a team bereft of tactical kickers and loaded with strike running ball carriers.

It is one thing to kick poorly it is another to not chase a kick.  This was not done in the first half, yet when they started too in the second half, the NSW return kicking game suffered accordingly.

However, while the back line began to chase, it was their second half offensive usage that was poor.  Phase after phase the Hurricanes forward division played the ball close, constantly hitting the Waratahs tight defence.

But after doing this there was no shift in the attack.  Each attacking phase was sucking in the Waratah’s defensive line, but was the back line unleashed? 

Alas it was not.

It was sparkling and instinctive offensive interplay that made Wellington an all but unconquerable force during last year’s Air New Zealand Cup.  

That magic was lacking from the Hurricanes yesterday.

There were promising signs, omens enough that this is an operation good enough to win a championship.

They were missing three front line All Blacks, all vital cogs to the Hurricanes rugby machine.

Despite a lack of overall intensity and execution in the first half, they still outscored NSW 17-7 in the second half.  They lifted when they need to.

Championship teams do not chase games though, and for the Hurricanes to win the title, they will need to be switched on from the first minute.

The Super 14 is an uncompromising and ruthless competition.

The Hurricanes have the credentials, the coach and the personal to win their maiden Super 14 championship.  But this potential must be matched by coordinated implementation of a game plan, and the tournament will not get any easier.