Two dodgy hamstrings won't take too much of the gloss off the Hurricanes' season reviews this week as they sit back and hope for maximum carnage during the Super Rugby quarterfinals.
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said his side's 21-13 win over the Chiefs in New Plymouth had given the squad a final injection of self belief as they head into the playoffs.
Boyd's boys have a valuable week off to recuperate before hosting a semifinal at Westpac Stadium on June 27 against the winner of the Stormers versus Brumbies quarterfinal in Cape Town on Sunday morning (NZT).
Wing Cory Jane and fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder are Boyd's main injury concerns after the pair left the field in New Plymouth with hamstring strains.
Their fitness has taken on a little more urgency after impressive newcomer Sam McNicol joined fellow wing Matt Proctor in dealing with concussion.
"With Cory, we'll just have to see how he gets through the next week," Boyd said. "Nehe's had a history of hamstrings, but he's a finely tuned racehorse. He knows his body pretty well and he is confident it's not too bad. It would have been a battle this week, but I think in two weeks he'll be right."
Jane will be of most concern after he aggravated an injury that's dogged him over the past month and the look on his face after he left Yarrow Stadium spoke volumes of the All Black right wing's frustrating season.
Rey Lee-Lo's starring performance against the Chiefs provides assurance and if the four outsides are all ruled out he could find himself on the wing in Wellington.
McNicol can remember little about his sparkling Super Rugby debut, but was feeling fine on Sunday, while Proctor still has to pass concussion protocols following his nasty head knock against the Crusaders in Nelson three weeks ago.
Throw in the calf injury that kept first five-eighth Beauden Barrett out of the Chiefs match, and the back strain that took lock James Broadhurst out on Thursday, and the value of the week off becomes immeasurable.
Boyd's optimistic he'll be picking from a fully fit side when the full squad reassembles at the end of the week.
"I'd say we'll be close to picking everyone we want. There is every indication Beaudy will be fine. James Broadhurst was actually dropped during an opposed lineout session and locked up his lower back, but he should be right too."
Boyd was relaxed about who his side plays next, but the best case scenario would be for the Brumbies to knock over the South African champion Stormers then make a taxing return flight across the Indian Ocean before the semifinal.
Whoever comes to Wellington will meet a rested and rejuvenated Hurricanes side that capped off the regular season in style.
"It was as a pleasing a performance as we've had all year," Boyd said. "Under the circumstances with everyone saying it was a dead rubber… I thought we took a really good attitude into the game and it's given us further momentum really."
It spoke volumes of the Hurricanes' resolve that they outpassioned and outplayed a Chiefs side desperate to win in New Plymouth, keen to avenge their earlier loss in Wellington, and still with an outside chance of earning a home playoff.
Captain Conrad Smith was nothing short of inspirational in his hometown, while blindside Brad Shields, Lee-Lo, lock Jeremy Thrush and first-five James Marshall all had season best performances.
A penalty try to Julian Savea after a Tom Marshall shoulder charge again put the officials in the spotlight, but Boyd had no reservations about the legitimacy of the Hurricanes' 14th win in 16 matches.
"Technically the officials probably got it right. You are supposed to use your arms in a tackle. It'd be nice to remember the game for the right reasons, not because of one little bit of controversy.
"Irrespective of any refereeing outcomes we were pleased with the performance and with the outcome."
The Hurricanes players will have season reviews on Tuesday and Thursday, attend Jerry Collins' funeral in Porirua on Wednesday, then resume training on Friday.
- Stuff
