The Hurricanes

2006 Preview

A lot is always expected of the Hurricanes, but in the days of Super 12 they have tended to disappoint rather than please. They have often had clever players in the backs and the loose forwards, as is the case now.

They have wonderful facilities at Westpac Stadium, surely the best rugby facility in New Zealand.

But they have tended to be less predicable than the Wellington weather.

Strengths: They have the backs and they have the loose forwards to make any international side a huge success. They can make a virtue of their unpredictability - running tries out of straightened circumstances.

Weakness: Inconsistency! That and ill-discipline have been the besetting sins of the Hurricanes and the great hindrance to their greatness. The problem of inconsistency may be the inability of the tight forwards to impose - and they still do not look imposing.

Noteworthy signings: Jason Eaton (New), Tamati Ellison (New), David Holwell (Leinster, Ireland), Luke Mahoney (New), John Schwalger (New), Isaia Toeava (Auckland),
 
Noteworthy losses: Isaac Boss (Ulster, Northern Ireland), Riki Flutey (London Irish, England), Ben Herring (Injured), Kristian Ormsby (Chiefs), Tony Penn, Brent Ward (Blues), Joe Ward (London Wasps, England).

Coach: Colin Cooper is a career coach, specialising in forward play. He migrated from Taranaki to Canterbury in 2001 in the place of Steve Hansen and then moved to the Hurricanes in 2003.

Captain: Tana Umaga is playing, but Rodney So'oialo is the new captain, a Samoan-born All Black who has been playing with the Hurricanes since 2001 and first captained Wellington in the NPC in 2004 when they reached the final. So'oialo said of the job: "It's a real honour to be offered the captaincy of the Hurricanes. I'll try to continue the great job Tana has done and I'll just try and do the things that have worked for me when I've captained in Wellington - trying to lead by example basically."

Player(s) to watch: You are going to watch the power of Jerry Collins and his tackling, the skill and speed of Conrad Smith, a centre of infinite promise who could end up being a real centre and not just a thinly disguised flank, lively Piri Weepu and, of course, the great Tana Umaga. But you would also be wise to watch the teenage All Black Isaia Toeava who has the skill and nous to play anywhere in the backline. He has been drafted into the Hurricanes side. You would also want to check on 23-year-old lock Jason Eaton who was a surprise choice as an All Black without having played Super 12 and has now played in three Tests.

2005 Position: 4th in Super 12
Best finish: 3rd in Super 12 in 1997 and 2003
Worst finish: 11th in Super 12 in 2004
Home Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

2006 Prediction: Mid-table

Hurricanes squad: Luke Andrews, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Tamati Ellison, Lome Fa'atau, Tim Fairbrother, Hosea Gear, Jimmy Gopperth, Brendan Haami, David Holwell, Andrew Hore, Ross Kennedy, Serge Lilo, Luke Mahoney, Chris Masoe, Joe McDonnell, Ma'a Nonu, Shannon Paku, John Schwalger, Conrad Smith, Rodney So'oialo, Neemia Tialata, Isaia Toeava, Paul Tito, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Tana Umaga, Thomas Waldrom, Piri Weepu.

Schedule:

Friday 10 February: v Blues, Auckland
Saturday 18 February: v Western Force, New Plymouth
Friday 24 February: v Cats, Wellington
Saturday 4 March: v Cheetahs, Bloemfontein
Saturday 11 March: v Stormers, Newlands
Friday 17 March: v Bulls, Pretoria
Friday 24 March: v Sharks, Wellington
Saturday 1 April: v Crusaders, Wellington
Saturday 8 April: Bye
Sunday 16 April: v Highlanders, Dunedin
Saturday 22 April: v Brumbies, Canberra
Saturday 29 April: v Chiefs, Wellington
Friday 5 May: v Reds, Wellington
Saturday 13 May: v Waratahs, Sydney