Hurricanes could once again be the Love Rollercoaster
If you are a music purist, or a fret
master, you may be familar with a certain tone. It is the key of G, to
the key of C, and back back down to the key of G. This is the beat that
The Ohio Players made famous with a wonderful, if not legendary song
called 'Love Rollercoaster'.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers 'covered' the song in 1996,
and it is a melody that associates well with Hurricanes supporters.
Supporting
a side that has often looked the goods to blast their way to an
Investec Super Rugby title is a proverbial rollercoaster, and
international rugby purists could suggest that the Wellington based
franchise are, in a sense, the French of the provincial rugby world.
On their day...
Indeed,
fans of band The Ohio Players could even suggest that the infamous
scream in the middle of the track could very well sum up the feelings of
those who believe the Canes are close, many of their faithful have
screeched in frustration with the side so often, so close to achieving
the ultimate goal.
Remember the heady days where Christian Cullen
carved up fields, Jonah Lomu created tram tracks and Tana Umaga jerked
and weaved himself around with enough electricity to generate the most
basic of chants - that call of 'Hurr-i-canes' with the distinctive thud
of individuals banging on their chairs.
One match, they would tear apart the most illustrious, the highest class of opponent.
The
next, passes would go to ground, absurd mistakes would be made, but
even through this uncomfortable malaise the side still had that glorious
ability to strike at will.
However as life often proves, we cannot always have the will.
This
year, despite the glorious glow that seems to be settling in Hamilton -
a shine that comes from that heavy Super Rugby trophy - the lurking
menace of the Blues, the class of the Crusaders or the heart of the
Highlanders could burn through.
But one cannot help but get excited by the Hurricanes in 2014.
Oh no.
Here comes the Rollercoaster again.
This
writer, proudly born in Lower Hutt, has been holding onto the rails
since 1996, and years before that periously holding onto the rails of
the Millard Stand as the Lions and Hurricanes used the wind while the
supporters swayed above.
Conrad Smith, likely done with his
travels around the world and extended visits to the water tower in
Hawera, his birth place, will lead the team fresh.
He isn't the
only one, with Cory Jane entering this season fit after that nasty leg
injury last year, and a man who re-wrote the handbook for All Blacks
wings will be eager to test his wares against what is, as usual, a
stacked queue of bluechip New Zealand based speed merchants.
Even
the promise of the halves, with Beauden Barrett shaking up what used to
be an impossible task in the musing of Dan Carter's replacement, and TJ
Perenara beginning to rattle the halfback's cage - cannot distract from
the pack.
Ben Franks, Dane Coles, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Jeremy
Thrush, Victor Vito and Ardie Savea (the latter in an apprentice
capacity) are the Hurricanes forwards that have all experienced the All
Blacks environment.
Platforms have at times been as issue, even if backline firepower has not, but this campaign looks a bit different.
And even if we have been here before, would we deny ourselves a ride on the Rollercoaster?
