Hurricanes 2024
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Mirroring @SouthernMann's post on the Highlanders page we are a third of the way through the season, below are what's been good and bad so far this season.
The good:
Coach Laidlaw:
Clark Laidlaw has vastly improved the environment coming in as head coach. He seems to be a likeable character and the players seem to be willing to go that extra mile for him on and off the field. He has no black mark against his resume yet so hopefully he can continue that post the bye. A vast improvement on Jason Holland.
Tight five:
It's been a while since our tight-five have done the business. The Canes front five have rarely been beaten this year and are providing a strong platform for the backs to do their thing. We seem to also have plenty of depth, my only worry is if Aumua goes down and we are left to play O'Reilly every week.
The loose forwards:
We've got arguably the most quality in terms of depth in this area out of any other team in the comp. When Devan Flanders can't even make the 23, it's a pretty good reflection of how things are going. Everyone is putting their hand up when given an opportunity which means players are putting out their best every single game.
Ruben Love:
What a return he's made since his injury last year. A big off-season is paying huge dividends for Ruben Love with the form fullback quickly becoming a cornerstone of this side. Apparently, he's back over in Sydney during the bye week training with Roger Fabri which shows his huge endeavor to get better and better.
NZCIS facility
How much of a difference has the NZCIS training facility enhanced the performance of the Hurricanes? They look to be super fit this year compared to any other year previously, or is it Laidlaw's influence coming straight from the Sevens? Either way I don't think it's a coincidence that both the Canes and Phoenix are sitting top of the log in their respective competitions.
The bad:
Cam Roigard's injury
Things were going along almost too perfectly for the Canes leading into the Highlanders that something had to give. Who knew our best player would end up on the canvas with what looks like a season ending injury. We haven't yet heard the outcome of his scan in Auckland but it's highly likely he'll be out for the remainder of the campaign. Next man up, TJ Perenara.
Depth at hooker and first five
The biggest concern I have with the Canes moving forward is if Aumua goes down. O'Reilly is a big drop from Aumua and it would be a huge hit if we had to play the rest of our matches with O'Reilly at rake. Same goes with Cameron, Morgan needs to show more at Super Rugby against the better teams, however, because he's not getting many minutes means it's hard for him to prove that he's improved so to speak. Hopefully the Canes have already had their one big injury for the year and can keep their squad relatively fit through to the end of the season.
Very good summary
Although I think you're being far too hard on O'Reilly. Canes should be thankful we have such a good backup who is performing very well.
First five. I still think Barrett would be very good here if needed so don't think this would be an issue if the coaches need to make this call. (Barrett and Higgins not Barrett and the can't pass PUJ)
Regarding the players or coaches who have impressed maybe unexpectedly.
IWL. Found yet another level after a big improvement last year)
Vijoen. Is he a future AB?
Tosi. In super condition and performing at a potential AB level
Jamie Mackintosh. I hoped for great stuff from Laidlaw and he hasn't disappointed. But JM has been wonderful. Especially after Gibbes. The best thing Gibbes did was step down as he was so clearly out of his depth (as was Holland). -
Very good summary
Although I think you're being far too hard on O'Reilly. Canes should be thankful we have such a good backup who is performing very well.
First five. I still think Barrett would be very good here if needed so don't think this would be an issue if the coaches need to make this call. (Barrett and Higgins not Barrett and the can't pass PUJ)
Regarding the players or coaches who have impressed maybe unexpectedly.
IWL. Found yet another level after a big improvement last year)
Vijoen. Is he a future AB?
Tosi. In super condition and performing at a potential AB level
Jamie Mackintosh. I hoped for great stuff from Laidlaw and he hasn't disappointed. But JM has been wonderful. Especially after Gibbes. The best thing Gibbes did was step down as he was so clearly out of his depth (as was Holland).@Winger I really hope Higgins comes back onto the bench from next week. I hope despite Umaga-Jensen's selection on the bench against the Landers, he's not now regarded as higher in the pecking order. Higgins did a great job replacing Barrett and deserves to keep developing with mins off the bench. We know what PUJ can do and he's not as accurate as Higgins from what I've seen.
Hopefully Godfrey also gets more mins off the bench. Many of us see him as the future so why not give him time off the bench this year as he can cover first five, fullback and wing at a stretch.
Like you, I have been surprised at how good JM has been. Our scrum has been functioning at a very high standard and he should take plenty of credit for that. So happy Gibbes and Holland are in the past.
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@Winger I really hope Higgins comes back onto the bench from next week. I hope despite Umaga-Jensen's selection on the bench against the Landers, he's not now regarded as higher in the pecking order. Higgins did a great job replacing Barrett and deserves to keep developing with mins off the bench. We know what PUJ can do and he's not as accurate as Higgins from what I've seen.
Hopefully Godfrey also gets more mins off the bench. Many of us see him as the future so why not give him time off the bench this year as he can cover first five, fullback and wing at a stretch.
Like you, I have been surprised at how good JM has been. Our scrum has been functioning at a very high standard and he should take plenty of credit for that. So happy Gibbes and Holland are in the past.
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@Canes4life Was interested to hear Reuben Love say he was taking this week's break to go to Aus , and (I think he meant) work with that sprint coach again. He certainly doing the extras and hope he reaps the rewards.
@Dan54 yeah he's over there again working at Roger Fabri's academy. I know Tom Wright (Brumbies) who's also one of the form fullbacks in the comp was there in the off-season aswell doing the extras. Just shows that hard work pays off.
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Huge opportunity for Riley Higgins next season with Barrett missing Super 2025.
Riley will be pleased. Proctor also had one of his best games at 2nd 5 so Canes should be well covered. As we seem to be at 8 with Savea out. Although his kicking will be missed. It's not a strength with Higgins
It's a decision that once again degrades super rugby though. Fortunately its only allowed for 1 year unlike Aust and SA.
It will be interesting to see the team vs FD. I would rest a lot of players (to be rested for the Brumbies match). Including JB. And start Kirifi, Lakai and Flanders to see how this combination goes.
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I quite relaxed about this by Jordie, can understand him wanting to try a bit diiferent etc. And the thing I really like, it's been done in negotiation with NZR etc, and even Razor has been involved making sure he not used every week etc no doubt. Let's face it Jordie has spoken a few times about going back to Ireland for a decent time after loving his time there as a kid.
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I quite relaxed about this by Jordie, can understand him wanting to try a bit diiferent etc. And the thing I really like, it's been done in negotiation with NZR etc, and even Razor has been involved making sure he not used every week etc no doubt. Let's face it Jordie has spoken a few times about going back to Ireland for a decent time after loving his time there as a kid.
Honestly, I think it is great for these guys to get exposure to NH rugby and elite clubs. He will learn a huge amount and do something different and earn some decent money (of course he is doing that at the moment!). And it’s pretty cool for him to go back to Ireland after his time there as a kid.
When a player does a sabbatical, are they essentially getting double bubble from 2 contracts? Leinster and NZR?
I assume he would still have a NZR contract during this time but maybe a reduced contract like some type of retainer?
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@Dan54 yeah he's over there again working at Roger Fabri's academy. I know Tom Wright (Brumbies) who's also one of the form fullbacks in the comp was there in the off-season aswell doing the extras. Just shows that hard work pays off.
I saw a podcast on YouTube with RL on it and the sprint coach. RL came across really well and seems a very level headed young man
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Proctor-Riley will be an excellent midfield next season.
I am totally relaxed about Jordie spending a season seeing another team environment in Leinster.
@sparky Riley is a different 12 to Jordie. Doesn’t have a big kicking game but he is very skillful and in my view is more of an attacking threat than Jordie. We won’t lose much with Jordie gone, we have great depth in the midfield so I’m all for Barrett taking a sabbatical if it means he sticks around longer.
I just hope Riley doesn’t look elsewhere knowing that Barrett has signed on long term.
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Riley will be pleased. Proctor also had one of his best games at 2nd 5 so Canes should be well covered. As we seem to be at 8 with Savea out. Although his kicking will be missed. It's not a strength with Higgins
It's a decision that once again degrades super rugby though. Fortunately its only allowed for 1 year unlike Aust and SA.
It will be interesting to see the team vs FD. I would rest a lot of players (to be rested for the Brumbies match). Including JB. And start Kirifi, Lakai and Flanders to see how this combination goes.
@Winger I would keep starting our best team over the next couple weeks. If we can bank wins against the Drua and the Brumbies away we could look to rest a few in our next home game against the Tahs. Brumbies is probably the most important one considering they are the closest to us on the table.
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@Winger I would keep starting our best team over the next couple weeks. If we can bank wins against the Drua and the Brumbies away we could look to rest a few in our next home game against the Tahs. Brumbies is probably the most important one considering they are the closest to us on the table.
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2024:
@Winger I would keep starting our best team over the next couple weeks. If we can bank wins against the Drua and the Brumbies away we could look to rest a few in our next home game against the Tahs. Brumbies is probably the most important one considering they are the closest to us on the table.
We don't want to lose momentum now. If we can get well ahead in any games perhaps they can run the subs sooner
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It's the canes to lose this year, the teams just humming.
I'd agree with keeping their best team on the field to further gel their combinations unless guys are carrying a niggle and really need a rest.
@Windows97 they’ve just come off a bye aswell. No need to rest guys. Best to try and lock up first place and then rest guys before the playoffs.
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It's the canes to lose this year, the teams just humming.
I'd agree with keeping their best team on the field to further gel their combinations unless guys are carrying a niggle and really need a rest.
@Windows97 said in Hurricanes 2024:
It's the canes to lose this year, the teams just humming.
I'd agree with keeping their best team on the field to further gel their combinations unless guys are carrying a niggle and really need a rest.
Yup, only if injured. No rest for rest sake
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Honestly, I think it is great for these guys to get exposure to NH rugby and elite clubs. He will learn a huge amount and do something different and earn some decent money (of course he is doing that at the moment!). And it’s pretty cool for him to go back to Ireland after his time there as a kid.
When a player does a sabbatical, are they essentially getting double bubble from 2 contracts? Leinster and NZR?
I assume he would still have a NZR contract during this time but maybe a reduced contract like some type of retainer?
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@DaGrubster I guessing he still get's AB money , but not Canes?
I like you and see positives, and can understand why players do it.@Dan54 said in Hurricanes 2024:
@DaGrubster I guessing he still get's AB money , but not Canes?
I like you and see positives, and can understand why players do it.I am sure @DaGrubster likes you too.
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https://www.rugbypass.com/news/super-rugby-takes-canes-stronger-without-savea-barrett-deal-win-win/
Must say something about Holland's ability as a head coach that Laidlaw despite losing the experience of Dane Coles and arguably the best player in the world (Savea) has already taken the team beyond anything Holland could manage across 5 years in his first season.
