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In the 2014 ITM Cup the Wellington Lions suffered their worst season in 134 years. Despite the embarrassing results, there was no real accountability from the Lions coaching staff.
Head coach Chris Boyd was promoted to the Hurricanes gig (an appointment that was made before the ITM Cup) while forwards mentor Richard Watt remains involved with the Hurricanes in a technical advisor role.
Should the Hurricanes fail to reach the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year, Watt and Boyd’s coaching careers in New Zealand maybe on borrowed time, but on paper at least the Hurricanes have a team that should threaten the top six.
At full-strength the Hurricanes backline is essentially the All Black backline and in the entire squad, twelve current or former national representatives feature.
There will be much interest in the form of Ma’a Nonu who returns to the capital for the first time since 2011. Often accused of lacklustre displays in Super Rugby, an enthusiastic Nonu should go some way to filling the void left by the departures of Tim Bateman and the redoubtable Alapati Leiua.
Cory Jane is under pressure to retain his All Black spot on the right wing. A plethora of young, hungry and accomplished competitors have emerged to challenge the veteran who needs a big campaign to keep the competition at bay.
Tighthead Jeffery Toomaga-Allen is back from injury. Toomaga-Allen is a vigorous ball carrier with the ability to engage defenders and offload in contact. If the 24-year old can scrummage well, he could regain his All Black place. The All Blacks’ sometimes wobbly scrum is an area of genuine concern ahead of the World Cup.
The leading All Blacks will undoubtedly miss a considerable amount of Super Rugby as their bodies are managed for the defence of the William Webb Ellis trophy.
The depth within Hurricanes squad without their internationals appears to be a little thin; however there is plenty of young talent that could make an impression.
Jason Woodward and Nehe Milner-Skudder will have a keen tussle for the fullback jersey. Woodward brings experience and a goal-kicking option having played 26 matches and scored 210 points for the Melbourne Rebels.
However Woodward’s form was poor in the ITM Cup and Nehe Milner-Skudder from the Manawatu might be preferred. The cousin of All Black Buff Milner and the nephew of All Black George Skudder, Nehe was one of the most effective counter attacking fullbacks in the ITM Cup, making the second most line breaks of anybody in the competition.
Vince Aso and Rey Lee-Lo will provide back up in the midfield. Lee-Lo has been capped twice by Samoa and has previous Super Rugby experience with the Hurricanes and Crusaders. Aso, from St. Peter’s College in Auckland, was a standout for the New Zealand under-20s at the IRB Junior World Championships on the wing, but has played most of his rugby at second-five.
James Marshall has been running at First-five. The captain of Taranaki is a versatile and dependable footballer, who won’t set the world alight, but should provide adequate support in various roles.
Victor Vito has been unchallenged as the Hurricanes top eight for several years now, but Blade Thomson might present a threat to that mantle. Thomson is a dynamic ball carrier and adept lineout forward who was outstanding for Taranaki in the ITM Cup.
During Super Rugby last year, Thomson showed an ability to change matches when given the chance. His 65-metre runaway try against the Crusaders was one of the best tries in the competition.
Ardie Savea has recovered from injury and will be looking to recapture the form that saw him earn an ‘honorary’ place on the All Blacks 2013 UK tour. However Manawatu Skipper Callum Gibbins might usurp Savea if he given game time.
Gibbins had a breakthrough 2014 for Manawatu.
The Hurricanes are well served in the locking department with Jeremy Thrush and James Broadhurst back while Christian Lloyd and Mark Abbott are two young locks on the rise.
Lloyd was a member of the New Zealand under-20s in 2012 was one of the few credible performers for the Lions. Abbott is a workhorse who has been consistently good in the last two years for Hawke’s Bay. Rookie Geoffrey Cridge at 6ft 7 is another option.
The Hurricanes have a mobile and skillful set of tight forwards, but questions about their set-piece and genuine hardness will be posed. The Hurricanes should look to play with their characteristic pace and flair.
Hooker Motu Matu’u and prop Reg Goodes are two players to watch. Matu’u is a destructive player, who despite lost confidence recently, could climb up the sparse hooking ladder with strong season. Goodes ascent has been hampered by injury, but he remains on the most promising loosehead’s in the New Zealand.
Of those named in the wider training squad Adam Hill and Otere Black are the most likely to see game time. Hill is a toiler who was among the top ten tacklers in the ITM Cup while Black, a product of Tu Toa College in Palmerston North, was outstanding for Manawatu in the ITM Cup.
A player with poise, an eye for the gap and an accurate boot, Black scored 116 points for the Turbos kicking at 85 per cent and looks set for a big future.
Frae Wilson and Mike Kainga have previous Super Rugby experience with the Highlanders and Chiefs respectfully while Hugh Renton won’t play.
The former head prefect of Lindisfarne College has a rare joint injury which has seen him sidelined since October 5, 2013. However the 18-year-old joins Sam Cane, TJ Perenra and Rieko Ioane as the only schoolboy players to ever receive a full Super rugby contract in New Zealand.
Squad: Ben Franks, Mark Abbott , Geoffrey Cridge* (Hawke’s Bay), Dane Coles, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Jeremy Thrush, Brad Shields, Ardie Savea, Victor Vito, TJ Perenara, Julian Savea, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Cory Jane, Jason Woodward*, Reggie Goodes, Motu Matu’u, John Schwalger, Christian Lloyd*, Matt Proctor (Wellington), Callum Gibbins, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Chris Eves, (Manawatu), James Broadhurst, Beauden Barrett, Iopu Iopu-Aso*, Blade Thomson, James Marshall, Chris Smylie (Taranaki), Vince Aso* (Auckland), Reynold Lee-Lo (Counties Manukau), Willis Halaholo* (Southland).
Wider training group: Mike Kainga (Bay of Plenty), Leni Apisai*, Frae Wilson, Adam Hill (Wellington), Otere Black* (Manawatu), Hugh Renton* (Hawke’s Bay).
Coaching staff: Head coach: Chris Boyd, Assistant coach: John Plumtree, Technical advisors: Clark Laidlaw, Richard Watt
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