Hurricanes 2024
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So with Roigard likely out for the season, Perenara now becomes pivotal to our title hopes. He’s in the best nick of his career after spending so long on the sidelines himself so hopefully he can get back to his best. We’ve also got Richard Judd and Jordi Vijoen behind him. I wouldn’t mind seeing Vijoen get more time, he was one of the Canes best in the first few games of the year and has a bloody slick pass. I’d prefer him backing up Perenara than the ageing Judd simply because of his bullet passing game and his zippyness around the ruck, could be influential late in a game. He also has a good relationship with Cameron, both having played for Manawatu this year.
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@canefan that’s an understatement. Arguably the most important player for both sides.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2024:
@canefan that’s an understatement. Arguably the most important player for both sides.
Cam Roigard. The Ethan Blackadder of 2024.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2024:
@canefan that’s an understatement. Arguably the most important player for both sides.
He was in great form. But he needs work on his defense still
And at least we have three good HB still in the team. Last year we only had the very badly out of form Jamie Booth. This year we have TJ and another good+ HB and also another super exciting young HB prospects that I'd like to see (a lot) more of with HB rotation.
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Mirroring @SouthernMann's post on the Highlanders page we are a third of the way through the season, below are what's been good and bad so far this season.
The good:
Coach Laidlaw:
Clark Laidlaw has vastly improved the environment coming in as head coach. He seems to be a likeable character and the players seem to be willing to go that extra mile for him on and off the field. He has no black mark against his resume yet so hopefully he can continue that post the bye. A vast improvement on Jason Holland.
Tight five:
It's been a while since our tight-five have done the business. The Canes front five have rarely been beaten this year and are providing a strong platform for the backs to do their thing. We seem to also have plenty of depth, my only worry is if Aumua goes down and we are left to play O'Reilly every week.
The loose forwards:
We've got arguably the most quality in terms of depth in this area out of any other team in the comp. When Devan Flanders can't even make the 23, it's a pretty good reflection of how things are going. Everyone is putting their hand up when given an opportunity which means players are putting out their best every single game.
Ruben Love:
What a return he's made since his injury last year. A big off-season is paying huge dividends for Ruben Love with the form fullback quickly becoming a cornerstone of this side. Apparently, he's back over in Sydney during the bye week training with Roger Fabri which shows his huge endeavor to get better and better.
NZCIS facility
How much of a difference has the NZCIS training facility enhanced the performance of the Hurricanes? They look to be super fit this year compared to any other year previously, or is it Laidlaw's influence coming straight from the Sevens? Either way I don't think it's a coincidence that both the Canes and Phoenix are sitting top of the log in their respective competitions.
The bad:
Cam Roigard's injury
Things were going along almost too perfectly for the Canes leading into the Highlanders that something had to give. Who knew our best player would end up on the canvas with what looks like a season ending injury. We haven't yet heard the outcome of his scan in Auckland but it's highly likely he'll be out for the remainder of the campaign. Next man up, TJ Perenara.
Depth at hooker and first five
The biggest concern I have with the Canes moving forward is if Aumua goes down. O'Reilly is a big drop from Aumua and it would be a huge hit if we had to play the rest of our matches with O'Reilly at rake. Same goes with Cameron, Morgan needs to show more at Super Rugby against the better teams, however, because he's not getting many minutes means it's hard for him to prove that he's improved so to speak. Hopefully the Canes have already had their one big injury for the year and can keep their squad relatively fit through to the end of the season.
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@Darren Thanks for posting. Not great but not as bad as perhaps feared. I am pleased his surgery was successful.
I wish Cam every success in his recovery and look forward to cheering him on in yellow and black and Black with a Silver Fern once he's ready again.
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Damn. Gutted for Cam.
Don't think it fucks us completely, but, losing arguably the best player in the comp does make it harder for us.
Fortunately, with TJ, we've got an experienced player, with a title under his belt to step in.
Good run down Canes4life - losing Aumua would be a blow but O'Reilly has been good this year for mind. He does all the basics well so I don't think that would be terminal.
Biggest concern for me would be losing Cameron, which is somewhat ironic as he's probably comparatively one of the lesser players in the 15. If we did, I'd much rather see Godfrey in the 10 jumper.
Keep Love at 15.
Morgan just doesn't look like a title winning 10 to me. Can do a job during the regular season but in tight finals footy, in possibly wet weather, I get Garden-Bachop like shivers thinking about it.
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@foobaNZ let's hope Cam is the only big injury we get this year. Losing him is enough of a blow but I think Perenara will step up and do a great job. He's defensively very strong and brings a truck load of experience as a title winner so knows the standard required to get the job done. He's also in the best shape of his life so that will also spur him on to succeed.
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@Canes4life Just wondering if we will see Judd (probably) be main back up, or Vijoen get a bit of time?
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@Dan54 said in Hurricanes 2024:
@Canes4life Just wondering if we will see Judd (probably) be main back up, or Vijoen get a bit of time?
Ive been impressed with Judd. He looks like a quality HB. Esp after Booth last year
But Vijoen look even more impressive. One upside of the Roigard injury is we might see more of a player with his Smith like pass. I hope so.
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@Dan54 hopefully Vijoen, I think Judd's pass is far too slow these days. Though really green, Vijoen to me would provide a lot more zip off the bench. His pass is the closest thing to Aaron Smith's so that could help when the game opens up in the last 20.
One thing of note is that when Wellington won the NPC in 2022, Perenara started and Judd came off the bench so there is that experience there.
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@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2024:
Morgan just doesn't look like a title winning 10 to me. Can do a job during the regular season but in tight finals footy, in possibly wet weather, I get Garden-Bachop like shivers thinking about it.
I thought Morgan was complete and utter rubbish last year. Even at NPC level
But to be fair to him the only game time he's had this year (as a starter too) he was good. In my view better than any game Cameron's had so far. Although Cameron had his best game last week. But before then thought he was poor to only average
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