vito: hurricanes revival driven by players input,,,

Vito: Hurricanes revival driven by player input

Sportal.co.nz    13.Feb.2013Getty Images

Hurricanes flanker Victor Vito has acknowledged the key to the Wellington franchise's revival came down to more of an input from all players – something set to continue in 2013.

After a disastrous Investec Super Rugby campaign in his first season as coach in 2011, Mark Hammett's side showed steely resolve only to narrowly miss the playoffs of last year's competition.

Vito, who described himself as a "koro" of the side having played five seasons, said there was one factor that aided the Wellington franchise's crusade last season.

"We've cultivated a lot of young guys to become leaders themselves. It's something that we can pride ourselves on at the Hurricanes," said Vito.

"When young guys come in they normally come in quite shy – they don't want to say anything.

"They don't want to say anything – even if they have a good point, they probably won't. Because of where we were, in a rebuilding stage, I think everyone had a voice and everyone was heard.

"As a young guy, it'll always be quite comforting going into a game knowing you've always been heard. Although things might not go your way it doesn't matter as long as you're heard."

Vito and a number of other senior Hurricanes members are getting behind the young chargers, a number of whom feature in the fowards.

"I'm in my fifth season now and there are a lot of young guys that are in their first or second season in the forward pack.

"In saying that, we've still got guys like Jeremy Thrush, Dane Coles and Jason Eaton so we've still got some pretty experienced guys out there.

"At the end of the day, a few of us definitely have to be taking on that leadership rein...at the end of the day it comes down to each individual player."

While traditionally the high number of All Blacks coming from the franchise has meant players have had to fill in and sink or swim, Vito is adamant the Hurricanes will be ready for their first match of the season against the Blues at Westpac Stadium on February 23.

Until then, the pre-season matches are something the franchise is using to test combinations and ensure the cobwebs are blown out.

i still think that mark hammet is a douche bag who owes the hurricanes a title or else for ever be labelled an egghead failure.

i do like how the players are having an input into the squad though, i can see the benefits of that in terms of synergy and confidence.

im really startin g to get excited about the hurricanes chances, but years of disappointment means i must have a steelier resolve, lolz.

GO THE MIGHTY MIGHTY HURRICANES!!!

 I have not been following the offseason of the Hurricanes, but I do not see them as contendors. 

The typically do not have a strong tight5, and is it any different this year? 

Mark Hammet seems to be a clone of the Crusaders style of rugby, but does not have the forwards personnel to play their style of game. The Hurricanes have allways thrown the ball around to make up for their lack of grunt at forward, and this has worked in their stead. 

I would expect the Hurricanes to be an easy breakfast for the Sharks.