Former loose forward Jerry Collins was a big part of the inspiration behind the Hurricanes’ defence this year, the new Super Rugby champions have revealed.
The Hurricanes have not conceded a try in almost five hours of rugby on their way to a maiden Super Rugby title.
Against the Chiefs in last weekend’s semi-final, they soaked up wave after wave of pressure and did the same against the Lions on Saturday night as they prevailed 20-3 in wet, cold and windy conditions at Westpac Stadium.
Collins, a staunch Wellingtonian and Hurricane, was one of the toughest defenders in rugby and was killed last year in a car accident in France where his partner also died and his daughter was left seriously injured.
“In the background, Jerry was a big motivation,” explained former teammate Victor Vito, after playing his 100th and final match for the Hurricanes.
“But if we got too lost in trying to do it for Jerry and forget our basic task, which was get up off the line and smack them (then it wouldn’t have worked).
“Jerry would have been proud simply because of the systems that we put in place (and executed).
Captain Dane Coles, who would have got a big tick from Collins after playing in the final despite struggling with a rib injury, said aside from Collins, there were plenty of other former Hurricanes who the players were glad to honour with the franchise’s maiden title.
“JC was a big part of (the) defensive theme this year but you just look back. Guys like Conrad (Smith), Norm Hewett, Jeremy Thrush, Christian Cullen – all those Hurricanes boys that have tried to win the trophy … there were so many Hurricanes legends who couldn’t get that trophy.
“Just to bring it to the franchise, for the ex-players and for the region, right up to the East Coast and Gisborne, I’m just so proud to be a Hurricane right now.
“(Winning Super Rugby) is bigger than us. It’s bigger than this team. There’s so many people who deserved it and didn’t get it. Just to say the Hurricanes have finally won a championship is just outstanding. I’m just so proud to be a Hurricane.”
Bakkies
Guest
Cheap shots that Richie deserves and I don't share the same nationality as Harry and Biltong
taylorman
Roar Guru
Great on paper but how many if the better ones actually play might be very different.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Only cheap shots from Bakes, what a dissapointment. Not a guy I would enjoy having a beer at a pub. I compare this nastiness with witty gentlemen like Harry Jones or the occasionally sad Biltongbek. I'd rather have beers with those true characters.
Jerry
Guest
Doesn't change the results though, just means you plums have one less thing to moan about.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Get your head out from your own ''dark place'' mate!
Lara
Guest
The Canes were pretty awful , but at least they did improve unlike some other teams. The SR comp is long and one bad result is not the end of the world, just make it to the playoffs and anything can happen , finishing top is a bonus.
opinionist
Guest
AH, thats a generalization too, that all SA captains are graceful winners and name-check. We had a SA team come over to NZ years back and after winning, the captain got up and did a long speech in Afrikaans, saying how rubbish our country was and how we were a bunch of sheep shaggers... at the prize-giving, with about 5 ex-pat south africans translating for us all, and the aussies present. Some people think to mention the other team which is great, some forget in the jubilation of the moment, and some people take the piss but it's no broad-brush rules that some countries are great and some rubbish. The most disappointing thing about the mostly excellent articles and comments on the roar is how easy it is for people to spill over into cheap shots at other nationalities at the slightest provocation, this being a good example.
ebop
Guest
Bakkies, you're damn near finding your way on to the clown heap with Phil Kearns whom get their 'wins' from analysing post match speeches.
Bakkies
Guest
It makes a difference when Richie is not there to kiss the referee's arse
CUW
Guest
now that the supper rugger season is over and the mitre10 cup season is about to start, could someone do and article (or few) on the 14 squads. i saw the Auckland squad and it looked great - on paper :D
CUW
Guest
dude the guy had just played a final with busted ribs. he recalled a few names. there was a lot he forgot, like JONAH LOMU and MAA NONU. give him a break. if u want to villify him, do it for stupidity - coming on and playing after going off injured. had it been cricket a sub would not have been allowed !!! now i wonder if he will be fit for 4-nations. ribs are one of the slowest bones to heal.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah he's just got a chip because his own team ain't in there. I see his 'the canes are fat, slow and unfit ' comments from the first round is doing the rounds. Good one kearnsey ?
chracol
Guest
Kearns can say whatever he likes. Who cares? For me, I have always admired the way the South Africans accept defeat and mention the opposition if they win. Bismark du Plessis, Shalk Berger, Warren Whiteley all accept defeat with a smile and a mention of the opposition and the people of the country. This is not usually the way of the New Zealanders and maybe arrogance is a part of champion teams because the Australian Rugby League team have a similarly arrogant approach. In NZ we are led to believe that South Africans are the dirtiest and meanest players and this idea is perpetuated by Sir Colin Meads every time he speaks publically and a whole host of others who follow his lead. McCaw never seemed to be a very gracious winner either. But maybe that's the winner's choice. Whatever, the Australian and Brumbies captain, Moore, is perhaps the worst after match captain to listen to. I know he loses a lot but he looks and sounds suicidal every time he does. Maybe Kearns could give him some tips about how to lose and win gracefully.
DanFan
Guest
Such is the standing of The Roar in the world of journalism that someone who has articles on rugby published int e New York Times can be classed as a "Roar Rookie". Anyway, I think all past Hurricanes players would have enjoyed that. Sentiment plays an important part in motivating players and Jerry Collins and Jonah Lomu were two very large figured in Hurricanes history. Yes, Smiley Barrett, a member of the first Hurricanes team, would have no doubt been smiling about his son's performance.
Aucklandlaurie
Guest
It makes quite a pleasant change to have post match discussion that doesn't include moanin about the referee.
Rebellion
Guest
Can't we celebrate a good team having a good win without the fluff of Jerry Collins being the inspiration behind the result blah blah Any player's Grandma might have provided inspiration such is the relevance of Jerry Collins to this squad. I realise this is not a Roar article but I find this sentimental garbage a bit cheap and should be reserved for when is appropriate. Phil Hughes as a current teammate for instance
Bakkies
Guest
The problem with the Canes early on was a lack of a unified tight five and half back combinations. Jason Spice, Isaac Boss, David Holwell to name a few couldn't steer star studded back lines after the Preston and Bachop beginning. 'Guys like Conrad (Smith), Norm Hewett, Jeremy Thrush, Christian Cullen –' Back the truck up it's shameful that Jeremy Thrush was name called ahead of Smiley Barrett (I take it he is the sire of that sporting talent), Bull Allen, Paul Tito, Chris Masoe, Rodders, Bill Cavubati, Ieremia and so on.
puff
Guest
Gee, daz, sorry even as an OZ, I find any statement from Phil Kearns troubled and dogmatic. At times he needs to be reintroduced to the rule book, in truth this entire final had nothing to do with OZ rugby. Hence his continued narrow remarks regarding other nations, in particular NZ, becomes old. The gent was once a great wallaby but that’s where it ends.
puff
Guest
The Highlanders arrived on the scene from obscurity last season with few recognized players and blitzed the more fancied teams in the finals. In general terms the Canes discovered conviction, during an extremely taxing run home and achieved a memorable finals campaign after a slow start. The Franchises for many years underperformed a subject for the rugby intellectual scholar. But last night was all about team belief, playing at the right end of the park, confidence in your defensive patterns and fellow team mates committing to their assign task. I feel sorry for the Lions who never looked comfortable, even with their set piece, they finished try less and humbled, wondering where it all fell apart. You would have to pencil in the fact; the Canes will again make a statement next season.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes a great example of that. Names like Vaea, Fatialofa, Proctor, Uhila, Halaholo, Marshall, Woodward...all ended up starting due to either injury of replacing legends from last year. To create a winning team out of that in this competition was nothing short of phenomenal.