The Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a try. Photo: Masanori Udagawa
Analysis - Super Rugby is back for 2024, with a fresh look and a commitment to running rugby. The second of our New Zealand team previews assesses last year's quarterfinalists, the Hurricanes.
Overview
The Canes come into 2024 as probably the most intriguing story out of the New Zealand sides. They have a new skipper who is not really new in Brad Shields, returning home due to the financial turmoil that struck his career in the English Premiership. Also, a new coach, Clark Laidlaw, who is in his first proper 15-a-side job after a long stint coaching the All Blacks Sevens.
Just how will Laidlaw's philosophy play out in a competition where you do not really get much time to find your feet? He has a luxury of some seriously promising young talent, but there is a question mark over the 10 jersey and just how they get by without the services of some legendary players.
New Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
The good
A typically potent backline is the key feature of this Canes side, which will presumably revolve heavily around Jordie Barrett in the midfield. Cam Roigard played so well last year he made the All Blacks, so the battle between him and the returning TJ Perenara will hopefully push both men to even greater heights. Up front, the Canes' scrum was one of the most dominant of the whole competition last year, with almost all the main components returning that should be another big weapon they utilise in 2024.
Photo: Elias Rodriguez
The bad
How on earth do you replace Ardie Savea? If there was one player that was at the forefront of their team over the last few years, it was him … and now he is in Japan. Dane Coles is gone too, so someone else will have to annoy the opposition and start scraps, but it is the duo's experience that will be missed the most. Also, the Canes have a problem in that a bunch of their best players are in the same position - not only at halfback, but Ruben Love and Josh Moorby are a split decision for fullback, while one of Devan Flanders and Brayden Iose will end up being a loose forward reserve.
Photo: Photosport / AAP / Lukas Coch
Big boots to fill
Peter Lakai certainly has the raw talent to push his career to the next level but trying to take on Savea's workload will be a lot to ask of the 20 year old. He will have plenty of help in an outstanding loose forward group that contains Shields, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Flanders and Iose, their relationship with Roigard and Perenara will be key if things are not clicking in the backline. Still, Lakai has had big wraps on him since he was at college, now it's time to show the world what he's capable of.
Peter Lakai of the Wellington Lions. Photo: Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz
What they are saying
"Our expectation is that we get to the quarterfinal and give a little bit more this year … there's a motivation there to do better. We're really excited with our new coaching staff and some really young players." - Brad Shields.
"TJ certainly hasn't lost any of his edge. It's been an exciting time for him, with his return from injury and the birth of his second child a couple of weeks ago. We're looking forward to seeing him back out there and we know he will be raring to go when called upon." - Clark Laidlaw.
Fan critique
Hurricanes supporters generally hate each other - due to the internal rivalries between Hawke's Bay, Manawatu and Wellington - almost as much as they hate themselves. I mean, anyone would feel intense self-loathing for supporting a team that had Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith for all those years and could not win a title. Yellow Fever aside, Wellington sports 'fans' are a pathetic lot anyway, overshadowed by the much larger loser culture of a city dominated by nerds pontificating about their boring political opinions. Wellingtonians can only blame themselves though, for decades they have been trying to kid themselves into thinking they're some sort of arts and culture hub when in reality it's just Hamilton with a harbour.
Captain Hurricane during the Super Rugby Pacific rugby match between the Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika. Photo: Marty Melville
Key games
While the heat is on with every derby match, rounds eight and nine shape as being pretty important for the Canes. They have the Drua in Suva followed by the Brumbies in Canberra - both fixtures they lost in heart-breaking fashion last time they were at each venue. On paper they should be disappointed if they are not top of the table after the first two rounds, with games against the Force and Reds.
Hurricanes 2024 squad
Props: Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Tevita Mafileo, Xavier Numia, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, James O'Reilly
Locks: Caleb Delany, Ben Grant, Justin Sangster, Josh Taula, James Tucker, Isaia Walker-Leawere
Loose forwards: Devan Flanders, TK Howden, Brayden Iose, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Brad Shields
Halfbacks: Richard Judd, TJ Perenara, Cam Roigard
First five-eighths: Brett Cameron, Aidan Morgan
Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor, Bailyn Sullivan, Peter Umaga-Jensen
Outside backs: Harry Godfrey, Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Kini Naholo, Ngatungane Punivai, Salesi Rayasi, Daniel Sinkinson
Tomorrow we preview the Highlanders.