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Today we are going to have a look at the best ever Hurricanes Super Rugby team.
First, here is the final Chiefs XV selected and many thanks to those who voted and commented.
Fullback – Mils Muliana
Wings – Sitiveni Sivivatu and Roger Randle (Lelia Masaga out)
Centres – Richard Kahui and Frank Bunce (SBW out)
First Five – Aaron Cruden
Halfback – Brendon Leonard
Number 8 – Liam Messam
Flankers – Marty Holah and Jono Gibbes
Locks – Ian Jones and Brodie Retallick (Craig Clarke out)
Props – Sona Taumalolo and Deacon Manu
Hooker – Mahonri Schwalger (Greg Smith out)
Today’s team is the Hurricanes, who are based in Wellington in the North Island of New Zealand.
Originally the Wellington Hurricanes, the franchise was established as one of the five New Zealand entrants into the inaugural Super 12 competition in 1996.
The Hurricanes represented the Wellington, East Coast, Wanganui, Wairarapa-Bush, Taranaki, Manawatu, Hawkes Bay, Poverty Bay and Horowhenua-Kapiti Rugby Unions.
In 2013, the Taranaki union cut ties with the Hurricanes franchise and aligned themselves with the Chiefs for the 2014 season. The regional identifier was dropped from the name in 2000. The team has simply been known as the Hurricanes since.
The Hurricanes had the honour and privilege of playing and hosting the first game of Super 12 in 1996, losing to the eventual champions the Auckland Blues. Their first season saw a ninth-placed finish.
1997 would see a good year for the franchise, making their first playoff appearance, losing the semi to the Brumbies in Canberra.
The Hurricanes would not be able to back this up in 1998, finishing eighth and would consistently finish in the bottom third of the table from 1999 to 2002. In these years, the highest placing was eighth and lowest tenth.
Another semi-final appearance in 2003 provided hope that better times were on the horizon. However this was followed up by the franchise’s worst year in 2004, finishing eleventh. It appeared to be a healthy kick up the back side with the franchise registering another semi-final appearance.
2006 saw the expansion of the competition to Super 14 and the franchise’s best year, making the final before being beaten by the Crusaders in the infamous fog in Christchurch.
2007 saw a fifth-placed finish, while 2008 and 2009 saw the franchise as losing semi-finalists in both years.
The Super 14 era finished for the Hurricanes, with an eighth-placed finish in 2010.
2011 saw the further expansion and the creation of Super Rugby. These years have not been kind to the Hurricanes, with the side finishing in the bottom half of the table in the three seasons to date.
2014 has not started well for the franchise, with two away losses in South Africa saw another loss upon returning home to the Brumbies.
A win over the Cheetahs was then tempered with an away loss to the Highlanders and then an away win over the Crusaders. The team has two wins and four losses thus far. It is difficult to see the Hurricanes featuring in this year’s playoffs.
To recap on the rules –
• Players that have played for two or more teams will be eligible for the team they have earned the most caps for;
• I will change my selections based on receiving three or more votes received for an alternative – any potential stalemates will be decided by the player with the most international caps
Just quickly, can I ask that you post your own preferences where they differ from my own, just makes it a bit easier to monitor.
Here are my selections for the all-time Hurricanes Super XV:
Fullback – Christian Cullen
Wings – Jonah Lomu and Tana Umaga
Centres – Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith
First Five – David Holwell
Halfback – Jon Preston
Number 8 – Rodney Soialo
Flankers – Kupu Vanisi and Jerry Collins
Locks – Jason Eaton and Paul Tito
Props – Mark Allen and Gordon Slater
Hooker – Andrew Hore
What do you think Roarers? Agree or disagree? If you don’t think I have got it right, please post your preferred selections below.
The next and last of the original 1996 teams we will be looking at are the Waratahs from Australia.
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.