Aisle be Back: First home game for Hurricanes this Saturday

• By Kevin McCarthy 

What is it with the Hurricanes and early season controversies? Last year it was Ardie having a brain explosion that earnt him a breather – this year it’s Jordie sitting out three matches (although his citing has no controversy around it).

But the absolute winner of the contest of course goes to the women’s team, Hurricanes Poua and their, er, robust new haka that berated “puppets of the redneck government.”  Confirmation is hazy and likely to remain so, but perhaps the Chiefs Manawa haka also poked the bear.

There’s no doubt they’ve got a message across, and how. There’s no doubt by their own account that they all signed up to it and remain pretty staunch about it all.

Who would want to be Avan Lee negotiating what comes next. Apologies to the government, trying presumably to keep the Poua onside with not repeating said haka, and placating uneasy sponsors.

I’m not sure how supporters feel about it all. I suspect as many will like it as will be unhappy. There will be someone prepared as always to say sports and politics shouldn’t mix, an argument that I think was first mugged in the 1936 Olympics, given a few head blows in the apartheid boycott and Springbok tour years, then basically given the coup de grace in the early 21^st century by world bodies happy to flog off events to dodgy authoritarian regimes in return for some good old sportswashing.

Avan Lee was pretty clear that while the team are not employed by the Canes , their collective agreement rules out political statements and causing reputational damage.

Rugby’s wider dilemma is that here’s a new growth area where much of the appeal are the women who aren’t scared to say what they think. This as a marketer would tell you is authenticity, and is gold if for example, your target demographic is new women fans.

Secondly, there’s the bit where the haka is embraced by the game as part of its heritage and DNA. But the haka is a challenge. Or is it only okay if it’s not challenging?

I would hope all the parties can find a mutual way through this. What I would hate to see is that the authorities wave the big stick to get their way. Two reasons: 1) it probably won’t work and indeed be counterproductive, and 2) that way lies the craven behaviour of the FIFAs of the world.

Still only week 3 of the season, and the finest Hurricanes slogan ever rings true once more – expect the unexpected.

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Personally, for all the thrills and kudos due the 14-men Canes for finding a way to victory over the Reds, Golden Point is stupid.

We’d definitely think that if we’d lost by said GP.

Rugby is as we all know a game played over 90 minutes plus about 47 minutes of video replays, at the end of which, if the scores are tied, both teams should share the honours.

The super round itself was certainly a point scoring frenzy. Of course, at some point defensive screens will start to gel, at least for the better sides, and these days will be but a memory.

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Déjà vu time. The Aucklanders come visiting early in the season.

Last year in a pretty poor performance by both sides, the Canes could not nail a comeback – one suspects because Ardie was on the naughty chair.

So, fingers crossed it won’t be a repeat. The Blues muscled up to overcome the Highlanders in the last 40, but certainly were vulnerable to some sharp attack by the Southerners.

And who can wait to see the man TJ Perenara come roaring back off the bench. You got to suspect he will wear a hole in the seat if its too late in the match.

Hurricanes Poua SRA Round Two team to play Matatū
 
1. Denise Aiolupotea
2. Cristo Taufua (nee Tofa)
3. Leilani Perese
4. Rachael Rakatau
5. Jackie Patea-Fereti (Captain)
6. Elinor-Plum King
7. Rhiarna Ferris
8. Layla Sae (VC)
9. Iritana Hohaia (VC)
10. Hannah King
11. Harmony Kautai
12. Monica Tagoai
13. Shakira Baker
14. Leilani Hakiwai
15. Isabella Waterman
 
Replacements
 
16. Tori Iosefo (Debut)
17. Tamia Edwards
18. Sam Taylor
19. Cilia-Marie Po’e Tofaeono
20. Rangimarie Sturmey
21. Paige Lush
22. Kahurangi Sturmey
23. Kayln Takitimu-Cook