Hurricanes surrounded by injuries – Super Rugby news
Mark Hammett, the Hurricanes’ coach seems to be having a very difficult time as a coach and with all those injuries and blows, this Super Rugby season has been the most painful for Hammett in his whole Super Rugby career. Hammett has been sleepless through
these Super Rugby nights changing the squad again and again due to injuries and more injuries.
His recent selection prior to next Super 25 clash is quite reasonable, considering the amount of stability required in the squad. The clash against Blues on Friday will be a major tester for Hurricanes’ nerves and Hammett’s coaching skills.
Hammett brought in Daniel Kirkpatrick at starting line-up as number twelve. Kirk Patrick is actually replacing Charlie Ngatai as five eighth. Ngatai is injured since he broke his ankle in a fierce clash against Reds. It was a 28-26 win for the Hurricanes.
Kirkpatrick’s inclusion is the only starting line-up change so far for the next clash.
Alama Ieremia, the assistant coach, could have so comfortably moved Julian Savea to the flanker’s position, Alapati Leiua to center from wing and Jayden Hayward to second five from center. These would have increased the efficiency at the back and this major
reshuffle could have confused the opponents, but this was not practically possible due to injuries.
The backs still look pretty neat and firm with the All Blacks’ Conrad Smith, Piri Weepu, Cory Jane and Ma’a Nonu. The only non All Black player at the back is Ngatai and gels in with the rest to give a very strong back line.
Hammett said, “A big part of (Kirkpatrick's selection) was around the combination last week, we've had a lot of changes as it is. We just wanted to maintain some stability around that.”
Hammett added, “It's not too much of a shift for me, really. I guess you've just got to carry a bit more and be a little bit more physical at 12 but other than that, you see a lot of 10s and 12s switching.”
The standings at the table and the points are not in favour of Hurricanes, as they stand at ninth with just three victories out of ten Super Rugby clashes. Hurricanes just drew one match and have 23 points at the table followed by Brumbies, who stand tenth
with 22 points.
The team above Hurricanes is Bull with a respectable distance of four points from Hurricanes. This year’s Super Rugby campaign has been very tough on Hurricanes and specially the coach. With the last rounds on their way and injuries at hand, there is not
much Hammett can expect at the moment.
Blues are topping the table with eight victories and 42 points and is closely followed by Stormers who also have eight victories but 42 points on charts. Stormers have played one match less than Blues and hence can take the lead easily after their next clash.
Talking about the clash against Blues Hammett said, “There's a focus around the Blues being a physical team and we need to match that physicality and maintain our ball so we can play our game. A lot of that is around attitude as well.”
Nonetheless, it’s a tough call for his side to even make it to a draw or lose closely.
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