Aisle be Back: Hurricanes v Brumbies

Izzy from Gizzy, who starts at lock, and Peter from Lower Hutt, who comes in hot off the bench, will be jumping for joy if the Hurricanes win their ninth straight win tomorrow. The match against the Brumbies in Canberra has always been a tough assignment for any visiting team. 

• By Kevin McCarthy

They say it’s the hope that dies last. Or that it’s the hope that kills you.

Hurricanes fans know plenty about both scenarios, but as part of my studiously ignoring talking about the Canes too much at this point in the season, let’s look to the South Island again.

I’ve already run the maths a couple of rounds ago on whether the Crusaders would be able to qualify. The verdict was that yes, they would in all likelihood and even get as high as fifth.

But since then, you’d have to say they have hit rock bottom, with the loss to the Force last weekend in Perth.  Sitting at the bottom of the table, they can still be confident about making eighth slot for the playoffs. Or the definition of a highly successful Warriors season most years.

Well, you would think so.

However, it is a strange old universe where the visiting team to  Christchurch, the Rebels (possibly on their farewell Super Rugby tour) actually are seen as having a chance.

Excluding tonight’s match, the Crusaders have three sure victories ahead, and then two highly problematic games against the Blues and the Brumbies.

So, winning against the Rebels  tonight is really critical. Otherwise, the Saders will start to drift into the dreaded mathematical zone, one step up from the even more dreaded, relying on other results to go their way.

No wonder a defiant Rob Penney is welcoming back Scott Barrett and David Havili this match. But the question must be whether the returning players can work miracles and somehow rejig the most-misfiring of engines.

While he has yet to receive the Full Confidence of the Board memo, aka the hint to start clearing the office out, Penney might be sorting out some packaging options if his team loses to the Rebels tonight.

In the context of the winningest team in Super history, there must at some point be consequences.   As the Americans trot out during any unfolding tragedy, thoughts, and prayers.

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Okay we have to mention the Hurricanes.

Please I hope you haven’t binged the Kool Aid and are treating tomorrow’s visit to Canberra as a certain win.

Yes the Brumbies were dismantled by the Blues last week – but that was Eden Park.

And the Blues are playing the sort of high octane stuff that the Hurricanes are dishing out. Note they already have a handy points diff gap, should the league table get close.

Which it is likely to do – unless the Hurricanes go to Canberra, treat it with a great deal of respect as a place  we struggle to win at, and  earn four more points.

So, with the Blues showdown looming on May 11 in Auckland, the Brumbies game is just as critical to the Hurricanes as  the Rebels are to the Crusaders.

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Should the team have sent that SOS to Colesey in Japan?

Of course they should.

Coles needn’t even have to lace up his boots. Just as water boy, his niggle factor would be worth it.

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As part of the connection between the Capital cities, the Hurricanes will lay a wreath at the New Zealand Memorial in Canberra on Friday. Something Laidlaw says was “special,” for his side to be involved in.

“It’s a real honour for us to be invited to lay a wreath there, it’s important for us to recognise and remember those lives lost and to continue the legacy of service,” said head coach Clark Laidlaw.

The Hurricanes will also proudly wear jerseys adorned with a poppy. The jerseys will be auctioned post-match, with proceeds being donated to the Royal New Zealand RSA.

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The Hurricanes team to take on the Brumbies on Saturday Afternoon at 4:35pm (NZT)

1. Xavier Numia
2. James O’Reilly
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Caleb Delany
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere
6. Brad Shields (C)
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi
8. Brayden Iose
9. TJ Perenara
10. Brett Cameron
11. Salesi Rayasi
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Peter Umaga-Jensen
14. Kini Naholo
15. Ruben Love
16. Raymond Tuputupu
17. Tevita Mafileo
18, Pasilio Tosi
19. Ben Grant
20. Peter Lakai
21. Richard Judd
22. Riley Higgins
23. Bailyn Sullivan

Unavailable for selection: 
Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, Te Kamaka (TK) Howden, Cam Roigard, James Tucker