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The 'pretty critical' absences with no like-for-like replacements that could haunt the Hurricanes

Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara celebrating for the Hurricanes. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

When the Hurricanes made back to back finals appearance in Super Rugby, it was on the back of some exceptional performances from the halves pairing of TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett.

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That’s not to downplay the work of the other squad members, but no two players were more important to the Hurricanes’ fortunes in 2015 and 2016 then All Blacks Perenara and Barrett.

Last year, following Barrett’s switch to the Blues, the Hurricanes trialled both Jackson Garden-Bachop and Fletcher Smith in the key playmaker jersey.

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A montage of our craziest year in memory.

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A montage of our craziest year in memory.

While Garden-Bachop made a good fist of things in the No 10 jersey, he certainly didn’t provide the X-factor, control or poise that two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Barrett offered. Garden-Bachop will again be tasked with leading the side at flyhalf this year while former Blues and Edinburgh pivot Simon Hickey has also joined the cause at the capital – but both players are still a far cry from Barrett, who will spend the season in Japan.

2020 was tough at times for the Hurricanes without Barrett running the cutter but they were still able to depend on Perenara to guide the backline around. Things will get a little tougher in 2021, with the second-most capped halfback in Super Rugby history also heading to Japan for a one-off season in the Top League.

Manawatu’s Jamie Booth backed-up Perenara last year and was turning heads with some impressive performances off the bench, but a leg injury suffered during the Mitre 10 Cup season means that Booth won’t be sighted until late in the Hurricanes’ campaign.

Instead, the 2016 champions will depend on inexperienced options Luke Campbell and Jonathan Taumateine.

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All in all, it’s hard to predict what to expect from the Hurricanes halves pairing in 2021, which could be an Achilles Heel in a side that boasts plenty of depth in other positions.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Conversation podcast, head coach Jason Holland acknowledged that replacing Barrett and Perenara will be an ongoing challenge for the team.

“Obviously, [Barrett and Perenara play] two pretty critical positions in the game of footy,” said Holland. “When Beaudie went, everybody thought we were under the pump and you know, you work with the boys and grow confidence.

“Both our 10s this year, Jacko and Simon Hickey … I’m really confident in their ability to run a week and run a game plan and run a game. But it’s all about confidence and giving guys the answers to if we see this problem, this is how we’re going to fix it or this is how we’re going to play well, this is all you need to do.

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“So I think it’s really simplifying the game for these boys, the 9s and the 10s. But you know, we’ve got some pretty good boys, you’ve got your Nganis [Laumape] and you’ve got your Jordies [Barrett] and you’ve got your Ardies [Savea] around them. It’s an opportunity for these boys and I’m looking forward to seeing that there are some pretty good heads here that just need some time in the saddle.”

While the Hurricanes won’t be the only team fielding a relatively junior flyhalf in 2021, with the Chiefs likely to hand 21-year-old Kaleb Trask the duties once more, every other side in the competition boasts experienced halfbacks.

The Blues’ Sam Nock and Finlay Christie have played over 30 caps apiece while the Chiefs can call upon two All Blacks, Brad Weber and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi. Further south, the Crusaders’ pair of Bryn Hall and Mitch Drummond will both reach centurion status in 2021 – something that Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith achieved in 2017.

If the Hurricanes combo – whatever Holland fields – can control the game well, however, then the Hurricanes’ backs will be tough to contain, with the likes of Laumape, Barrett, Vince Aso, Peter Umaga-Jensen and Wes Goosen on the books.

The Hurricanes kick off their Super Rugby Aotearoa season against the Blues in Wellington in late February.

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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