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Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett made a huge statement by sacking All Blacks Ma’a Nonu and Andrew Hore. The message to the team was simple: “No one is above the team”.
The Hurricanes have always been the underachievers of Super Rugby, and something had to be done.
No one is arguing about the ability of Nonu and Hore. It’s good enough for the All Blacks. The issue is with their commitment to the Hurricanes’ cause.
I’ve got no doubt that they are fierce competitors, but they needed to show that they want to win as part of a team, not just as individuals.
Whether they liked it or not, Mark Hammett runs the team and is responsible for results. By most accounts, Nonu didn’t believe in the direction that Hammett was heading, and Hore didn’t feel that he should have had to stop his weekly beers as an example to the squad.
There’s only one way this could have ended.
Hammett believed that the culture in the Hurricanes had to change in order for the team to move forward and believed that the influence that the senior players had was hurting the Hurricanes.
We must also remember that Hammett is a rookie coach, so having Nonu questioning his methods in front of the squad just undermines his authority.
I’d also argue that Nonu’s reputation as being the team joker hurts the Hurricanes. This shows that Nonu hasn’t matured as a person in the time that he has been with them.
You can get away with that stuff when you’re a young member of the group, but when you’re a senior player, you’re expected to set a good example for the younger players.
Hammett should be applauded, not for the sacking but for having the backbone to do what he believes is right for the team no matter how unpopular it is.
Whether it works or not is another matter.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.