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The names involved in the Hurricane coach/player fracas are incidental in that they have been caught up in a web of New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) mismanagement that should never have been allowed to eventuate.
Tony Smith’s (New Zealand Fairfax journalist) article has a definite agenda and emphasises the positive framing of Mark Hammett. But he uses skilful syntax to negatively frame the players.
Mark Hinton begins his article stating the media have been pointing the finger at Hammett. On the contrary, my reading indicates the opposite. He goes on to character assassinate Ma’a Nonu and Andrew Hore.
The new coach appointed to the Hurricanes has no previous head coach experience.
He has top line experience as assistant coach to Deans and his initial head coach role means he will experiment and make initial yet inevitable mistakes at almost the top of the coaching tree.
Is that good management? Is that fair on a new coach, and on some of the world’s best players?
Wellington has a flexible and mainly public school culture while Christchurch the more private heavy handed traditional type model.
Although not achieving the title (one team has monopolised that) the Hurricanes are a standout Super side.
Hammett knows only the Crusader culture. He does not have the wider experience to adapt what he already has, which are some of the best players in world rugby.
The background to this issue: Mr Tew (NZRU) assisted Mr O’Neill (Australian Rugby Uunion) to acquire the fifth Super franchise in Melbourne.
Tew also allowed O’Neill to modify the Argentinean player access to SANZAR allowing freer movement of SANZAR players/coaches.
Rod McQueen was given the head coaching job in Melbourne and straight away offered Hammett the assist coaching role.
Hammett was keen to accept.
Tew, angered at the instant and urgent Australian push to recruit New Zealand talent, stated that the NZRU had not spent its money training Hammett for the benefit of Australian rugby. Tew complained to O’Neill to ease off. McQueen then complained about the NZRU.
What was Tew thinking? Did he not see the consequences of his two crucial SANZAR decisions?
At about the same time, the Hurricanes head coaching job became available. Tew straight away (before a proper selection process had occurred) offered the job to Hammett, which he accepted.
To stack the odds, a new CEO for the Hurricanes had just been established with a background more in retail and finance than in rugby.
Thus the present disastrous and dysfunctional super season for the Hurricanes has been played out.
It is an indictment on the Australian owned New Zealand media that this NZRU mismanagement has not been mentioned as the source of the Hurricane problem, but turned into a skilful and subtle attack on the players, a huge gamble and immense personal pressure put upon Hammett.
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.