Ruben Love on the Hurricanes’ semi-final heartbreak and the road ahead

Injured playmaker Ruben Love has highlighted “consistency” as a big focus for the Hurricanes ahead of the new Super Rugby Pacific season. The Hurricanes were the number one seed coming into the playoffs in 2024 but fell to a semi-final upset loss to the Chiefs at home.

Wallace Sititi was a clear standout during that knockout match as the young Chiefs backrower starred with 17 carries for more than 145 metres, and 12 stops on the defensive side of the ball as well. Sititi’s impact went a long way to securing the 30-19 upset win at Sky Stadium.

That result marked another season where the Hurricanes had fallen short of their goal. In 2023, the Canes were beaten in a thrilling quarter-final 37-33 by the ACT Brumbies in Canberra, with the visitors coming supremely close to snatching the win in the dying stages.

But the start of a new Super Rugby campaign presents a fresh start for all.

The Hurricanes have recruited well in the off-season, with ex-Crusaders lock Zach Gallagher, playmaker Lucas Cashmore, former All Blacks Sevens representative Fehi Fineanganofo, and North Harbour try-scoring phenomenon Kade Bands among the new players in the squad.

With their season-opener away to the Crusaders in Christchurch on Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the Hurricanes are looking to grow after heartbreak from previous seasons, as Love said at the season launch in Sydney earlier this week.

“I think consistency was a big part in the reflections from last year with the coaching group and players. It’s a long season… it all counts for nothing if you’re not holding up the trophy at the end really,” Love said on Stan Sports’ Season Launch: Super Rugby Pacific.

“But we’ve taken a lot of growth the last two years finishing up short, and especially last year losing in the home semi where we thought we probably should’ve advanced in that game.

“There’s so much more room for growth now. We’ve got a few new players in this team, we lost a couple but it’s really exciting in Wellington.”

While the Hurricanes have brought in some exciting new players into their squad, the departure of three club greats has been talking point. Ardie Savea has moved to Moana Pasifika and is now their captain, and Jordie Barrett is playing with European heavyweights Leinster on sabbatical.

Then there’s legendary scrum-half TJ Perenara who has penned a deal in Japan. In an interview with RugbyPass at the season launch, Love actually described Perenara’s absence as “the biggest loss” possible for the Hurricanes.

It would be tough for any team to lose players of this calibre, but as Love explained, it presents an opportunity for others to step up. All Blacks Billy Proctor and Asafo Aumua, as well as All Blacks XV captain Du’Plessis Kirifi, have been up to the task during pre-season.

“With that comes the chance for new players to step into those roles and a lot of people have had to, and more onus on the coaches as well to guide these new leaders through because, as any environment, if there’s no structure, no standards, everything topples,” Love added.

“It’s been good and a lot of players like Billy Proctor, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Asafo Aumua, those kind of players are really stepping up and leading the younger boys around.”