Aisle be Back: Hurricanes v Brumbies

Above: The Hurricanes and Brumbies are competing for the inagural Captain Shout Cup in their fixture in Canberra this weekend. Photo: Hurricanes Facebook

• By Kevin McCarthy.

Thank heavens the Hurricanes have an easy game against the Brumbies in Canberra, and then a patsy at home against the Chiefs.

In other words, with six rounds to go, including a bye, the runway for the Canes in the season has shrunk down to the sort of airstrip you get on Stewart Island (fantastic place!).

Last weekend’s poster from Ruben Love against the Force kind of sums up a season where narrow margins aren’t failing the right way.

Given we’re all here for exciting competitions and close results, then you could look on the bright side, and say the Canes are delivering that in spades, and the next two games will be even more so.

Look if they can win both those games – they’ll deserve a power of kudos. The reality meter is however not registering that will happen, sorry to say.

Perhaps it’s then time to think where the wider comp is headed.  The top four look a lock to me – Chiefs / Crusaders / Reds / Brumbies – in no particular order.

Then we have the Force and the Waratahs. I reckon the Force are good enough to stay where they are, and then it will be a case of who is able to thread the needle of sixth –  the Waratahs are front runners, albeit they don’t convince as consistent.

The Blues, who knows? Have they turned  a corner? They need to win tonight, because on paper they have an easier run home than most.

The Highlanders have the toughest home run – I just can’t see it happening.

And while the two Pasifika teams are fantastic to watch and have produced some  great moments – they are probably now going to be the ones springing surprises that end some team’s season.

Such is the success of this season to date, you’ve got to think plans are being hatched to screw it up for 2026.

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The other comp I care about – the fantasy one – is also exciting.

Within my league, I think I am probably winning the most rounds individually, but still a couple  of hundred off the leader. All down to making a knucklehead call in round 1.

Overall, I am third in that group – and closing on second. Regarding the leader though, I’m still only chiselling 30 or so points of his lead at best each round.

In short – my runway, like those Canes – is also rapidly shrinking.

One of the things I do like about scoring system is that it makes the flankers and No. 8 pretty critical choices. That axis generates a lot of consistent points, while the flash boys out wide can be hit and miss. For example, Carlo Tizzano, the Force flanker, is bankable every week – and virtually scores a try every week.

Goalkickers remain important, but sometimes its because you select someone who doesn’t end up kicking. Even DMac can have a shocker, but few are brave enough to leave him out.

If your playing too, and trailing, perhaps it’s time for some out of the box, contrarian selections. Just so you make more room for the rest of us.

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The Hurricanes team competing for the inagural Captain Shout Cup against the Brumbies this weekend is:

1. Tevita Mafileo
2. Raymond Tuputupu
3. Pasilio Tosi
4. Caleb Delany
5. Zach Gallagher
6. Brad Shields (Co Captain)
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (Co Captain)
8. Peter Lakai
9. Cam Roigard
10. Ruben Love
11. Kini Naholo
12. Riley Higgins
13. Billy Proctor (Co Captain)
14. Ngatungane Punivai
15. Callum Harkin
16. Jacob Devery
17. Xavier Numia
18. Tyrel Lomax
19. Will Tucker
20. Brayden Iose
21. Ereatara Enari
22. Riley Hohepa
23. Bailyn Sullivan

UNAVAILABLE DUE TO INJURY