Super 14 Preview - Hurricanes
Boy, have the Canes drawn the short straw this year. Not only are they the NZ franchise arguably most affected by the All Black conditioning programme, they have these players out for one more game (all the other NZ teams have a Bye in the first 7 weeks), and when Week 8 rolls around and the ABs are allowed back, they’re in the middle of their South African road trip. Lord knows how they’ll manage that. The only saving grace is they have a 7 home, 6 away split this year.
You don’t have to be Einstein to work out their biggest concern is replacing the triumvirate of ABs at 6, 7, and 8. Masoe and Collins played in every game last year, while So’oialo missed one (and whaddya know, the Canes lost that one)
While the rest of the side looks reasonably solid - actually the backline is more than that, their problem, like the Crusaders, is the back-up is very thin for the first 7 weeks. And in the early rounds, after a trip to Brisbane, they have a tricky 3 week stretch playing the Chiefs away, then hosting the Blues and Brumbies. Canes fans - get on your prayer mats for no injuries.
What is significant to me is if you look at the teamsheet that played the Crusaders in last year’s final, 11 out of the 22-man squad will not be suited up next weekend; 8 out of the 15 starters, and 5 out of the 8 forwards. You can’t judge the Hurricanes on their performance of the last two seasons, and it is unlikely this side will be able to (immediately) reach the performance levels Wellingtonians have become accustomed to.
So sorry Capital residents, the loss of Collins, Masoe and So’oialo will be too much to bear. Your chances will be gone by Week 7.
Prediction: 6-7 and mid-table.
Player to watch: Chris Smylie – I think the change of environment and guaranteed game time for the first 7 weeks might just be the tonic he needs to put a disappointing 2006 behind him. IF the forwards get enough ball and IF he on his game to put the Canes talented backline away, they just might have half a chance to be in contention at the business end.
You don’t have to be Einstein to work out their biggest concern is replacing the triumvirate of ABs at 6, 7, and 8. Masoe and Collins played in every game last year, while So’oialo missed one (and whaddya know, the Canes lost that one)
While the rest of the side looks reasonably solid - actually the backline is more than that, their problem, like the Crusaders, is the back-up is very thin for the first 7 weeks. And in the early rounds, after a trip to Brisbane, they have a tricky 3 week stretch playing the Chiefs away, then hosting the Blues and Brumbies. Canes fans - get on your prayer mats for no injuries.
What is significant to me is if you look at the teamsheet that played the Crusaders in last year’s final, 11 out of the 22-man squad will not be suited up next weekend; 8 out of the 15 starters, and 5 out of the 8 forwards. You can’t judge the Hurricanes on their performance of the last two seasons, and it is unlikely this side will be able to (immediately) reach the performance levels Wellingtonians have become accustomed to.
So sorry Capital residents, the loss of Collins, Masoe and So’oialo will be too much to bear. Your chances will be gone by Week 7.
Prediction: 6-7 and mid-table.
Player to watch: Chris Smylie – I think the change of environment and guaranteed game time for the first 7 weeks might just be the tonic he needs to put a disappointing 2006 behind him. IF the forwards get enough ball and IF he on his game to put the Canes talented backline away, they just might have half a chance to be in contention at the business end.
Labels: 2007S14
posted by Rob Crawford at 1:33 PM
1 Comments:
I fear you're right Rob.
The fact that the Canes play most of their tougher games up front makes it very hard.
We haven't even got a captain yet.
Leg Break
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