Hurricanes blow up storm with hard work

THE Hurricanes have not stumbled upon a magic formula this season and their success is built on hard work put in over the last few years by a maturing playing group, according to their coach and captain.

The Hurricanes host Australia’s Brumbies in a Super Rugby semifinal at Wellington Regional Stadium today after finishing top of the standings.

It is the first semifinal the Wellington-based side have hosted since 2006, creating an expected sellout, and their first appearance in the playoffs since 2009.

“I don’t think there’s a silver bullet and there’s not one answer,” coach Chris Boyd said of their success.

“There are a lot of bits and pieces that has got the chemistry right.”

The progression of players such as new All Black Nehe Milner-Skudder from the wider training group and the experience gained in Super Rugby had also played a part, Boyd said.

Captain Conrad Smith, who will play his last game for the Hurricanes on Saturday if his side lose, felt the team’s success had been down to the work done over the last few years.

“The results this year are pleasing but a lot was put in place two or three years ago,” Smith said.

“A lot of the team have been together for that long.”

Smith expressed his admiration for the Brumbies, whose simple, territory-dominated game plan has led them to at least the semifinals in each of the last three years.

“I was confident they would beat the Stormers over there,” he said of the Australian side’s 39-19 victory in Cape Town last week.

The other semifinal sees the Waratahs play the Chiefs. – Reuters