'No one's talking about us': Hurricanes not worried by dismissal of title hopes

The Hurricanes are happy to go unnoticed as much of Super Rugby Pacific’s hype centres around the likes of the Blues, Brumbies and Crusaders.

That’s the verdict from assistant coach Chris Gibbes, who told media that he and his team don’t care that they aren’t being viewed in the same stratosphere as the competition’s three leading teams by fans and pundits ahead of next week’s playoffs.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Western Force in Perth, Gibbes maintained that his side’s focus is instead solely on securing a win in their last match of the regular season.

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 15

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 15

“People can talk all they want. That doesn’t bother me, it doesn’t bother us as a team,” Gibbes said.

“No one’s talking about us, that’s cool. We’re happy to be in that space. We know that we’ve got confidence and belief in our ability as a team.

“We know that we need to be able to do that for 80 minutes, which we haven’t quite nailed yet this year, but that’s as clear as day for everybody to see.

“We are confident in what we do and the way that we play, so people can talk about the next few weeks all they want.

“We’re just focused on the next 80 minutes and getting that performance that we keep talking about all the time. That’s our goal. That’s it.

“I’m not worried about what comes next week or the week after or whenever. We’ve got our team, now we want to put our Hurricanes brand of rugby out on the Force this weekend. That’s our focus.”

That plan will have to be executed without some key figures this weekend, as an outbreak of the flu has forced the Hurricanes to reshuffle their team to play the Force.

The most noticeable absentee is All Blacks star Jordie Barrett, who is one of many players and management staff – including head coach Jason Holland – who have remained in Wellington as they battle the flu.

Despite being named on the bench, star loose forward Ardie Savea isn’t one of those players, as Gibbes explained that his inclusion as a substitute was a decision made in the best interests of both the Hurricanes and the 59-test All Black.

“We’re just managing Ardie,” Gibbes said.

“We’re doing what’s best for the team and what’s best for Ardie, and it’s important that he plays, but we think that the role that he’s going to play off the bench, bringing energy and impact in that second half, is where we think we can best utilise him.

“It works for both parties in that way, I think, so that’s where that’s at. There’s nothing more to read into that.”

In his place comes Brayden Iose, who has rapidly recovered from a broken wrist to earn a starting role at No 8 in what will be his first match for the Hurricanes since March.

“I think when you get a player of Braydon’s quality and class back into your squad, it’s a good thing,” Gibbes said of the 23-year-old.

“I’ve got to keep stressing, there’s really good competition in these positions, and Devan [Flanders] is not far away, Reed Prinsep’s not far away, so, at this end of the season, we’re starting to get our guys back from long-term injuries and it’s really good.

“Brayds has worked bloody hard and it’s good to see him getting an opportunity.”