Aisle be Back: Hurricanes v Reds

• By Kevin McCarthy

The Hurricanes have now racked up three 50-plus wins, which explains why their points differential stands at a slightly mad 128 to the positive.

That’s 58 points better than the next best, and with most teams having six games played, not five.

Comps are not won by points of course. I think it sits in the rules as a third-level tiebreaker factor, behind head to heads, and total wins. Number of tries comes in fourth.

That’s the numbers. But there is also intimidation. We all know that sterner defences and smarter teams will shut down the Canes’ backline. If they can’t they’ll lose. If they can, the onus will be on Hurricanes to show they can win through Plan B.

Are the Reds intimidated by coming to Wellington tomorrow afternoon? No idea, but just a reminder that they are fourth on the table, also with a game in hand like their hosts. If they become another 50-point sacrifice, I would be surprised.

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As Dave Rennie bedded in his team this week – with Tana Umaga, Mike Blair, and Neil Barnes – the quote of the week surely was from Barnes.

He told the world that the basics must be laid – before any of that, quote, pretty shit.

For all those Gold Carders out there, he also came to the table with the optimistic friskiness of someone whose time had finally come. Age 67 and just getting started.

I can see Barnesisms becoming a new lingua franca for some. If you don’t know what that means, it’s pretty shit for  . . .

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Hurricanes’ chairman Malcolm Gillies has written an earnest open letter that’s appeared in a full-page advert in the local Post newspaper.

The sentiments are some I would write myself, such as when people turn up in the stands, it can make a difference. And that when the Canes do well, there is a flow-on for the region, and economy.

So far so good. I guess I’m not sure where the ad is meant to land. You certainly notice that it mimics a real letter circa 1975 – written by what the Elders sometimes call a typewriter. The fact its full page, but very plain and simple, draws attention, because most ads scream at you for your eyeballs. So, job done there.

I am just worried that the old schoolness will fly over the heads of the people the Hurricanes need to keep getting on the train – 20 and 30 year olds, who grew up with social media and smartphones.

Look, I’ve no doubt there is (or there should be) a strategy to appeal to the broad church of rugby followers, and this is just one strand, one lever to pull. The universal message is that the players are doing their bit. Now the fans need to do theirs.

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There are minimal changes to the Hurricanes team that beat the Highlanders last week. Du’Plessis Kirifi comes back into the starting 15 to partner Peter Lakai and Devan Flanders in the loose trio.

The only alteration in the backline comes in the outside backs, where Bailyn Sullivan moves onto the right wing, pushing Josh Moorby to fullback. Callum Harkin takes a rest.

Kick-off for Saturday’s match is 4:35pm, with gates open from 1:30pm ahead of the double-header between the Hurricanes Hunters and Blues Development, which begins at 2.00pm. This is the final match of this series.

The Hurricanes are having a Kids Go Free day, a positive initiative.

HURRICANES TEAM TO PLAY REDS (Hurricanes caps in brackets)

1. Xavier Numia (81)
2. Asafo Aumua (80)
3. Tyrel Lomax (71)
4. Caleb Delany (43)
5. Warner Dearns (5)
6. Devan Flanders (61)
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (96) – co-captain
8. Peter Lakai (41)
9. Cam Roigard (52)
10. Ruben Love (45)
11. Fehi Fineanganofo (17)
12. Jordie Barrett (116) – co-captain
13. Billy Proctor (72)
14. Bailyn Sullivan (45)
15. Josh Moorby (43)
16. Vernon Bason (1)
17. Siale Lauaki (8)
18. Pasilio Tosi (42)
19. Isaia Walker-Leawere (82)
20. Brayden Iose (56)
21. Ereatara Enari (16)
22. Lucas Cashmore (2)
23. Jone Rova (4)

UNAVAILABLE DUE TO INJURY

Taine Roiri (hamstring): 3 weeks
Jai Tamati (ankle): 4-6 weeks
Brett Cameron (knee): Expected to miss season
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Callum Harkin (concussion): 1 week
Ngane Punivai (hamstring): 3-4 weeks
Kini Naholo (foot): 3-4 weeks