Aisle be Back: Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika

• By Kevin McCarthy 

You can read any number of analyses of what the eight still viable teams need to make the Super Rugby Pacific top six, or improve their standing for those five already locked in.

It makes for one of those ideal scenarios for the last weekend where all but two of the sides playing has skin in the game to keep winning. If any squad contemplated putting out a B side this last round, they would go straight to the South African 2016 Hubris Hall of Shame.

The Hurricanes sit fourth at present, with 34 competition points. Then there’s a gulf upwards to the top three – which as a reflection of the whole season can only be fair. At the halfway point, and with a tough run home, it was conceivable the team might miss the playoffs.

Since then, much credit to them, they’ve slayed a few dragons – and are coming home with the wettest of sails. Indeed, I the long tradition of cherry picking numbers and putting the most favourable spin on them, the Canes are the only unbeaten team in the last five games.

Therefore, if you believe in momentum, and who doesn’t when its your team, then the Hurricanes most definitely are a team no-one wants to face in the playoffs.

I must hazard a guess that in an enjoyable season, a lot of people only started thinking about the actual playoff system about a week ago.

So yeah, 6 into three games does not produce four semi-finalists. So, after those games, the best of the four losers (the lucky loser) will still get into a semi. If games go to form or current ranking, I think I understand it well enough.

If there are some boil overs, however, I cannot hand on heart say I could give you chapter and verse.

It’s definitely a better system than some inflicted on fans and teams over the history of super rugby.

If you are also confused still, then either search out a smarter person on the web – or just remember that winning is better than losing in 99 per cent of cases.

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How awesome to have the closing match of the regular season at the Cake Tin, with Moana Pasifika as the most welcome of guests.

Yes the feel good story of the year rather came up in nightmare territory against the Chiefs last week, shipping 85 points.

But I am sure no one is super confident against them this weekend. No reflection on the whole squad – but when you have Ardie Savea rocking up as your skipper (complete with Steampunk glasses this week) you know something special is in store. The coach Tana Umaga is also vaguely familiar in these parts.

The great man this week had to tick off the I Guess I Might Get Some Boos box in media questioning.

But seriously? Is anyone actually going to boo him (or big brother Julian) this Saturday.
I guess there would be greater sins, but that would be up there.

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Off the back of a tight affair against the Reds in Brisbane, the Hurricanes are hoping to secure the significant 4th place, providing a “lucky loser” second chance final spot and have named a much-changed team, with 5 changes to the starting 15.

Jacob Devery, Hugo Plummer and Devan Flanders start in the forwards, Bailyn Sullivan is back at 14, and Brett Cameron is at First Five, with Ruben Love moving to Fullback.

Tjay Clarke is set to make his debut from the bench, and Tyrel Lomax will bring up his 100th New Zealand Super Rugby Game (31 Highlanders and 68 Hurricanes), with New Zealand Rugby recognising him with the presentation of a patu at the end of the match.

The Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika last met in round 4 at North Harbour Stadium, with Moana coming out as the victor, winning 40-31 in a high-scoring affair.

1 Xavier Numia

2 Jacob Devery

3 Tyrel Lomax

4 Zach Gallagher

5 Hugo Plummer

6 Devan Flanders

7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (Co Captain)

8 Peter Lakai

9 Cam Roigard

10 Brett Cameron

11 Fatafehi Fineanganofo

12 Peter Umaga-Jensen

13 Billy Proctor (Co Captain)

14 Bailyn Sullivan

15 Ruben Love

Impact  

16. Raymond Tuputupu
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones
18. Pasilio Tosi
19. Will Tucker
20. Brad Shields (Co Captain)
21. Ereatara Enari
22. Jone Rova
23. Tjay Clarke (Debut)