In sealing top qualifying spot with their victory over the Highlanders, the Hurricanes have given themselves the best opportunity to win a first Super Rugby championship since 2016 and are providing Ruben Love with the perfect platform to make his case as the All Blacks’ No.10 for the July series.
Head coach Dave Rennie will name his New Zealand squad of 34 in Feilding on June 22.
Love will be named in the group which will prepare for the inaugural Nations Championship Tests against France, Italy and Ireland and the stars appear to be aligning ahead of a potentially breakthrough year.
Josh Moorby’s stunning form at fullback for the Hurricanes has allowed Love to spend time in the No.10 jersey and he further underlined his credentials for higher honours during his side’s 45-28 win over the Highlanders in Wellington last night to the point where he should consider himself as the in-form first-five in the country.
Damian McKenzie’s concussion injury which ruled him out of the recent Chiefs’ defeat to the Crusaders in Christchurch has highlighted Love’s importance to Rennie and the national side.
Beauden Barrett had the weekend off due to the Blues’ bye but his uncertain form mirrors his side. Having said that, the Blues remain third on the table behind the Hurricanes and Chiefs (and just above the Crusaders) but few will back them to beat the Chiefs in Hamilton next Saturday.
Barrett’s experience may have him selected in the No.10 jersey for the Test against France in Christchurch on July 4, with McKenzie potentially named on the bench, although one should not assume too much as Rennie and his colleagues take a welcome fresh look at selections.
A starting role for the Test a week later against Italy in Wellington would be more likely for Love. Should he shine there, it could be difficult for Rennie to make a change for the following Test against Ireland in Auckland.
Love showed in the build-up to his Test debut against France in Hamilton last year (when he started at fullback) that he does not lack for confidence but the 25-year-old is finding a balance to his game that suggests he will be the long-term solution for the All Blacks at No.10.
Rennie has stated that he would have taken the returning Richie Mo’unga to South Africa in August had Mo’unga been given an exemption by New Zealand Rugby (Mo’unga may still travel due to injury), but the future of the man who turns 32 tomorrow beyond next year’s World Cup remains uncertain.
The Hurricanes, meanwhile, must travel to Christchurch for their final regular season match to play a Crusaders side probably still buzzing after their 36-32 comeback victory over the Chiefs which maintained their perfect record at their new stadium.
A Crusaders victory over the Hurricanes combined with a Blues defeat to the Chiefs will take the red and blacks to third and give them hosting rights for the first playoff match. With the Hurricanes already guaranteed as top qualifier there is nowhere near as much to play for and it will be intriguing to see if they can maintain their recent run.
Under Clark Laidlaw’s direction, the Hurricanes appear to be the best coached side in the New Zealand but their scrum showed a late vulnerability against the Highlanders that will interest the Crusaders.
Halfback Cam Roigard is likely to still be unavailable due to a calf injury (Crusaders fullback and fellow All Black Will Jordan may also be touch-and-go after a recurrence of his calf injury against the Chiefs) but such is the form of the entire Hurricanes’ backline, the visitors will likely challenge the Crusaders far more than the Chiefs and Blues have in recent weeks.
SHARE ME