Rugby World Cup successful All Black Mils Muliaina believes there may be “no means” the Highlanders report what could be a surprising upset win over the high-flying Hurricanes at Wellington’s Sky Stadium on Saturday.
The Hurricanes despatched one more message to the groups in Tremendous Rugby Pacific final Friday evening after they made the journey north to Hamilton and left with a hard-fought win over fellow contenders the Chiefs.
Clark Laidlaw’s males sit in second place on the ladder heading into the ultimate spherical of the common season, however as they sit equal on 51 competitors factors with the first-placed Blues, there’s nonetheless each probability the Hurricanes find yourself on prime.
For that to occur, the Hurricanes have to beat the Highlanders with a successful bonus level and hope the Chiefs can forestall the Blues from doing the identical in one other blockbuster New Zealand derby in a while Saturday.
Alternatively, so long as the Hurricanes win and the Blues fail to do the identical, then the boys from the nation’s capital will finish the season one level forward of their north island rivals. There’s loads on the road in spherical 15.
Former All Black Mils Muliaina was fairly assured in saying the Hurricanes will get the higher of the Highlanders this weekend. The Canes have added Asafo Aumua, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Salesi Rayasi to an already star-studded First XV.
“Fairly frankly, I don’t suppose so. No means guys,” Muliaina stated on Stan Sports activities’ The Name Up. “The Hurricanes are too good.
“I noticed a special facet to them final week. An actual bodily battle in opposition to the Chiefs… they don’t thoughts getting by the center of the park and having guys like (Xavier) Numia, who’s been in sensational type, his capacity to (impress at) the scrum and the set piece.
“They’ve simply bought a very nice steadiness.
“Welcome again (Asafo) Aumua. Earlier than he bought injured in Fiji, he’s been one in every of their prime performers. He comes again into the fold.
“Du’Plessis Kirifi again into it, (and so is) Salesi Rayasi. This has been an actual optimistic for the Hurricanes, the actual fact they’ve been in a position to rotate guys out and in however nonetheless… they’ve bought very, superb expertise.
“The important thing factor for them is that they go on the market and momentum goes to be the massive one main into the quarter-finals.”
Earlier this season, former Wallaby Morgan Turinui described the Hurricanes as a “European-style” staff earlier than taking part in the Highlanders in Dunedin. Solely three gamers retained their spot within the beginning facet from the week earlier than.
Coach Laidlaw made a behavior of constructing mass adjustments to the Hurricanes’ staff, and for probably the most half it’s labored out for them. The total depth of the squad has been to the check and so they’ve handed many of those challenges with flying colors.
Their solely two losses of the season have come in opposition to the ACT Brumbies in Canberra and a thriller in opposition to the Blues at Auckland’s Eden Park. Aside from that, the Hurricanes’ squad has been nothing wanting sensational.
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Greater than 60 days after making that preliminary Hurricanes remark, Turinui has as soon as once more spoke concerning the “fascinating little idea” the Hurricanes have adopted this season.
“It’s an fascinating little idea from the Hurricanes this yr, we’ve mentioned it virtually each Wednesday: numerous adjustments within the Hurricanes.
“They have been too good final week for the Chiefs and now they create in Aumua, Kirifi and Rayasi right into a staff that’s already ok to beat the Chiefs.
“They’ll in all probability simply carry on successful. They’ve been tremendous spectacular this yr. I believed that (win over the Chiefs) was in all probability their finest efficiency within the method through which they closed that recreation out.
“I believe they are often too good for a Highlanders staff… an excessive amount of firepower with the Canes.”
