Fluky Hurricanes Beat Otago Nearly Men

Restoration of the All Black midfield and a two-try burst in the last five minutes saw the Hurricanes prevail in a game which Otago again could have won.

The Highlanders could count themselves to be the absolute just about team in the Super 14. In the last two years they have suffered 18 losses. Nine of them have seen them collect a bonus point for losing by less than seven. Of those, six games have been decided by less than four points.

Against two of Australasia’s premier teams they have been in game-winning positions, only to lose by two and five points respectively.

As predicted prior to the season kickoff, it was the lack of genuine game breakers; legitimate X factor players that hurt the proud southern province.

Their opponents—the Hurricanes—are the opposite. Heralded as potential championship winning vintage, it is the glut of such players that make them such a dangerous and intimidating side.

Well that is, should make them such a team.

Purists of rugby predicted big things for the capitals franchise at the beginning of the season, but highlighted two factors that could hamstring their potential. 

First, it is the lack of a genuine general; a tactical leader that would guide the operation around the battlefield and control play. That is, a class fly half.

And second, the deficiency of a clear game plan, a structure that can be imposed. Or a style that they can full back on if put under pressure.  This must fall on the shoulders of the coach. 

For the second week in a row, the natural aspects that often assist in the winning of a game of rugby were present. Domination in the rucks and mauls, and superiority in the possession and territory—for two weeks they have had over 60 percent of the latter.

The execution, the final stroke of the masterpiece appears to be missing.

But while it would be easy to say early that the Hurricanes will not challenge for the title, future opponents would say this at some peril.

As stated last week, the Hurricanes started the match kicking poorly despite having few tactical kicking options. This is regardless of the fact that they contain more ball carriers and strike runners than any other team in the competition.

For two matches in a row this has happened. And for two matches in a row, Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper delivered exactly the same halftime speech.

Too many kicks, not enough structure, not enough running with the ball in hand.

All aspects that are the indirect responsibility of the coach—why was the performance of one of New Zealand’s blue chip teams identical to a poor showing last week?

Despite this, they won the game, largely due to the reinstatement of arguably the most potent midfield combination of 2008 test rugby.

One would think it would be the last time that the Hurricanes start two front line All Blacks from the bench. Restoration of the two stalwarts Rodney So’oialo and Andrew Hore will see this hazardous team cause many issues in the coming weeks, but not on current evidence. 

The manner in which they govern the game through possession and territory despite obvious structure bespeaks of their menace. As with a Jekyll and Hyde outfit such as this, beware the team that crosses them when they complete their transformation to title contenders.

If they can complete the missing pieces!

For the Highlanders, when All Blacks Jimmy Cowan, Jamie Mackintosh and strike winger Fetu’u Vanikolo are restored, they will be a far more intimidating proposition.

But more importantly, they need to rapidly learn the art of winning a match when leading on the scoreboard.  The nearly men of the South will win games this season, if anything for the benefit of the heartbreak of their faithful.

Hurricanes 22 (won 1 by 5, lost 1 by 4)

defeat Otago 17 (lost two – by 2 and 5)

@ Westpac Stadium, Wellington