FORMER Wallaby Cameron Shepherd believes the Hurricanes need to be “very careful” when they face a determined Chiefs side in Hamilton in the Round 14 derby.
Coach Clark Laidlaw guided the Hurricanes to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder earlier this season and the men from the New Zealand capital remained there until they lost to the Blues.
Now, with just two games remaining in the regular season, the Hurricanes are in danger of falling out of the top two should they lose to the Chiefs and the ACT Brumbies beat the Melbourne Rebels.
But the Hurricanes are one of the teams to beat this season for a reason, with the heavyweight contender overcoming some tough tests so far including a win over the Chiefs at Sky Stadium in Wellington in mid-April.
It was a remarkable win, and the Hurricanes have replicated that feeling of heroism on the rugby field in other tough games, but if all roads lead to Rome, this week's 'Roma' is none other than Hamilton.
“The last game was pretty good and I actually think the Chiefs should have won (against the Hurricanes earlier this season),” Shepherd said. Rugby heaven at Stan Sports.
“It's an interesting matchup as well because the Chiefs throw the ball around a lot, they're very expansive and I don't think the Hurricanes like that, especially when you throw (Damian) McKenzie and (Shaun) Stevenson off the team.” A world that can flash from anywhere.
“The Hurricanes are going to have to be very careful. But once this juggernaut starts heading towards the Hurricanes… Kane's team will come in ready to play but should be cracking though.”
The Chiefs host the Hurricanes in their round-robin opener on Friday night which will add more drama throughout the weekend. With the Brumbies also gunning for a top two finish, the math can be quite simple.
face to face
Last 5 meetings
Average points scored
While the Hamilton-based Chiefs will leapfrog both the Brumbies and Hurricanes into second place with a bonus-point win, the Australian juggernaut from the ACT could still climb into second place with a win of their own.
Playing in the citadel that is Canberra's GIO Stadium, the Rebels will need to achieve something spectacular to beat the Brumbies – but stranger things have happened in Super Rugby Pacific.
“It will be great to watch the Chiefs' last two games against the Hurricanes, they'll play in Hamilton, then they'll go away to the Blues,” Wallaby legend Tim Horan said moments ago on Stan Sport Displays.
“It's really important for the consequences below, you know what the top two, or three are.
“Of course, the Brumbies are third at the moment. The Brumbies will be cheering for (the Chiefs) to try and beat (the Hurricanes).”
