Hurricanes (Super rugby franchise)

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Hurricanes
Founded 1996
Union New Zealand Rugby Football Union
Location Wellington, New Zealand
Region See below
Ground Westpac Stadium
Capacity 34,500 [1]
Coach Colin Cooper
Captain Rodney So'oialo
League Super 14
2007 8th
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
　
Home colours
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
　
Away colours
Official website
www.hurricanes.co.nz
Flag of New Zealand

The Hurricanes (formerly known as the Wellington Hurricanes) are a New Zealand Rugby Union team based in Wellington, New Zealand that competes in the Super 14 (formerly the Super 12). The franchise represents the East Coast, Poverty Bay, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wairarapa-Bush, Horowhenua-Kapiti and Wellington provincial rugby unions. [2] Their main home ground is currently Westpac Stadium, having previously played at the now defunct Athletic Park.[3][4]

The franchise was formed to represent the lower North Island with the conception of the Super 12 tournament in 1996, which featured teams from New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. The Hurricanes had a poor first season, but rebounded in 1997 with a third placing. The team did not reach the play-offs for another five years as the team struggled in the bottom four of the table. Since 2003 the Hurricanes have made the post-season three times seasons out of the last four; including the 2006 final. They lost the bizarre encounter against the Crusaders, 19-12.

Contents

The Hurricanes were formed in 1996 as one of five New Zealand Super 12 franchises, and were originally called the "Wellington Hurricanes". The Hurricanes region comprises the lower North Island. It's catchment area of 920,000 people is the largest in New Zealand.[5] The Hurricanes performed poorly in the inaugural year of the competition, and finished ninth. In 1997 the team made the semi-finals, but form shown during this season would not be seen again for many years.

Following their 1997 season, the Hurricanes failed to qualify for the semi-finals until 2003. Despite this, they were still known for their backline that included the All Blacks midfield combination of Tana Umaga and Christian Cullen. Both played with flair and could score at any moment, whatever their position on the field.[6]

After the 1999 World Cup, Jonah Lomu's contract expired and he was linked to many clubs around the world; including rugby league, and the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.[7] On the 23 November 1999 it was announced the winger had signed a two-year contract with the Hurricanes, despite a reported a £1.1 million offered by Bristol.[8][7]

Hurricanes also opened 2000 with a new stadium. The highlights of that year included the victory over eventual champions, the Crusaders, 41-29, in front of a packed house at the stadium. At the end of the season the 'Canes still had a mathematical chance of making the semis and only had to beat the Bulls to stay in contention. The Hurricanes played one of their worst games of the year, and lost possibility of qualifying for the semi-finals. The team finished eighth on the table.

Despite the Wellington Lions (whom most of the Hurricanes squad were chosen from) winning the 2000 NPC,[9] the Hurricanes finished ninth on the final standings in 2001; one worse than the year before. Another ninth placing in 2002 resulted in Graham Mourie, who had led the team since 2000, resigning.[10]

The Hurricanes playing the Highlanders at Westpac Stadium in 2006
The Hurricanes playing the Highlanders at Westpac Stadium in 2006

In spite of reports that Colin Cooper, the then Crusaders assistant-coach had said he was "not yet ready to jump ship" and wanted to stay with the South Island franchise,[11] the Hurricanes were able to lure him away from the champions and made him their head coach for the 2003 season.

Cooper, along with newly appointed captain Tana Umaga were to work wonders on the squad, morphing the inconsistent and ill-disciplined Hurricanes into one of the top teams in the competition.[12]2003 was the beginning of a new era for the Hurricanes as they reached the semi-finals for just the second time in their history on the back of a strong seven game winning streak mid-season.[13] Their success came partly with the breakout year for mid-fielder Ma'a Nonu, his strong performances and partnership with captain Tana Umaga pushed out former All Black Pita Alatini. He scored six tries en route to the All Black squad. [14]

Hurricanes stalwart Christian Cullen would leave New Zealand shores after his omission from the All Blacks 2003 World Cup squad, despite scoring 8 tries during the season.[14] He was picked up by Irish club Munster where he has since scored 28 tries[15] and shared 05/06 Heineken Cup glory, despite being hampered by injuries.

All Black great Jonah Lomu was left out of the 2004 squad, due to a life-threatening illness that would eventually result in a kidney transplant, and would never again pull on the Hurricanes jersey.

2004, wasn't quite the year that the coaches, players and fans alike wanted but it laid the platform for the next year with majority of the team being retained.[16] The Hurricanes came back in 2005 to the form that saw them make the playoffs two years prior. Former New Zealand Colt Flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth was the real "find" of the season, scoring 139 points,[17] after much fuss was made about a suitable replacement for Ireland-bound David Holwell.[18] The Hurricanes had tried their hand at getting Australian playmaker Brock James (currently playing with the Western Force) [19] and the Blues young star Luke McAlister made noise about his preference of playing in Wellington. [20]

2006 saw the influx of two new teams to the competition and the Super 14 was born. The Hurricanes welcomed a new captain with Rodney So'oialo stepping up after former All Black captain Tana Umaga wanted to focus more on his playing duties.[21] The Wellington-based franchise again played solidly winning all but four matches, they made their first Super rugby final losing against perennial powerhouse the Crusaders in a bizarre match played under thick fog. [22] The after match altercation involving a handbag between Tana Umaga and Chris Masoe would go on to cause a stir in the media. The successful 2006 season saw the Hurricanes turn over NZ$7.44 million which resulted in a NZ$1.36millon profit.[23]

The nine provincial unions that represent the Hurricanes.
The nine provincial unions that represent the Hurricanes.

The franchise represents the East Coast, Poverty Bay, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wairarapa-Bush, Horowhenua-Kapiti and Wellington provincial rugby unions. This area makes the team the second largest New Zealand franchise, representing an area of 920,000 people.[24]

Like all New Zealand Super 14 sides the Hurricanes get to protect 24 players from within their franchise area each season. They then have to go to the draft (which consists of New Zealand based players who are not protected by one of the five Super 14 franchises) to fill their squad. The majority of players within the Hurricanes squad play for the Premier division Wellington Lions, yet there are players from Manawatu and Taranaki from within the franchise area and Auckland, Canterbury and Southland from outside, acquired through the draft.

Westpac Stadium.
Westpac Stadium.

The Hurricanes play most of their home allocated games at the Westpac Stadium on Wellington's waterfront. The stadium is affectionately known as The Cake-Tin throughout New Zealand due to its shape, although the locals refer to it as The Stadium. It was opened in 2000 after Athletic Park had fallen into disrepair. Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth usually plays host to at least one game per season.

A game is also often played in Palmerston North at Arena Manawatu. These games are usually sold out as the Hurricanes enjoy massive support in the Manawatu area.

The Hurricanes brand name is a play on the commonly used Wellington city nickname "windy Wellington", in reference to the heavy and powerful winds experienced in the capital city. It is also used in the expectation that the team will "blow away" all of its opponents.[25] The team's colours are the traditional Wellington sporting colours of Yellow and Black.

2007 Super 14 Table

watch · edit · discuss
Pos Name Pld W D L F A +/- BP Pts
1 Sharks 13 10 0 3 355 214 141 5 45
2 Bulls 13 9 0 4 388 223 165 6 42
3 Crusaders 13 8 0 5 382 235 147 10 42
4 Blues 13 9 0 4 355 235 120 6 42
5 Brumbies 13 9 0 4 234 173 61 4 40
6 Chiefs 13 7 1 5 373 321 52 10 40
7 Western Force 13 6 1 6 276 282 -6 6 32
8 Hurricanes 13 6 0 7 247 300 -53 3 27
9 Highlanders 13 5 0 8 235 301 -66 7 27
10 Stormers 13 6 0 7 249 326 -77 3 27
11 Cheetahs 13 4 1 8 265 342 -77 4 22
12 Lions 13 5 0 8 175 284 -109 2 22
13 Waratahs 13 3 1 9 266 317 -51 7 21
14 Reds 13 2 0 11 201 438 -237 3 11
Updated 2007-05-11

Super 12 Results[26]
Year Played Win Draw Loss PF PA Diff BP Points Place Playoffs
1996 11 3 0 8 290 353 -63 5 17 9th
1997 11 6 0 5 416 314 102 10 34 3rd (lost semi-final to Brumbies)
1998 11 5 0 6 313 342 -29 6 26 8th
1999 11 4 1 6 213 226 -13 4 22 10th
2000 11 6 0 5 308 329 -21 5 29 8th
2001 11 5 0 6 291 316 -25 5 25 9th
2002 11 5 0 6 232 317 -85 3 23 9th
2003 11 7 0 4 324 284 40 7 35 3rd (lost semi-final to Crusaders)
2004 11 4 1 6 275 303 -28 5 23 11th
2005 11 8 0 3 283 248 35 2 34 4th (lost semi-final to Crusaders)

Super 14 Results
Year Played Win Draw Loss PF PA Diff BP Points Place Playoffs
2006 13 10 0 3 328 226 102 7 47 2nd (lost final to Crusaders)

The squad for the 2008 season:[27]

Props

Hookers

Locks

  

Loose Forwards


Half Backs

Fly Halfs

  

Centres

Wings

Full Backs

† - Players missing from the first half of the 2007 competition.[28]

  1. ^ Information-Facts & Figures. westpactruststadium.co.nz. Retrieved on 21 December 2006.
  2. ^ Hurricanes Region. hurricanes.co.nz. Retrieved on 20 December 2006.
  3. ^ Locations - Westpac Stadium. Wotzon.com. Retrieved on 20 April 2007.
  4. ^ Amie Mills. Cake Tin lacks a certain build-up to the game?. Victoria University of Wellington. Retrieved on 20 April 2007.
  5. ^ NZ's largest S14 franchise. hurricanes.co.nz. Retrieved on 2006-12-20.
  6. ^ "Fleckie", sport.iafrica.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-21. 
  7. ^ a b "Chase On for All Black Lomu", bbc.co.uk. Retrieved on 2006-12-21. 
  8. ^ "Lomu joins Hurricanes", bbc.co.uk. Retrieved on 2006-12-21. 
  9. ^ "NPC Magic-Season Review 2000", haka.co.nz. Retrieved on 2000-12-21. 
  10. ^ "Mourie quits Hurricanes", bbc.co.uk. Retrieved on 2006-12-21. 
  11. ^ No Tuf-Of-War over Cooper says NZRFU. rugby.com.au. Retrieved on 21 December 2006.
  12. ^ Hurricanes ride high in rankings. thefanatics.com. Retrieved on 21 December 2006.
  13. ^ short hurricanes history. hurricanes@everything.com. Retrieved on 20 December 2006.
  14. ^ a b Season Stats 2003. hurricanes.co.nz. Retrieved on 21 December 2006.
  15. ^ Munster Rugby - Christian Cullen. munsterrugby.ie. Retrieved on 21 December 2006.
  16. ^ Consistency Of Selection in Hurricanes Squad. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 20 December 2006.
  17. ^ Season Stats 2005. hurricanes.co.nz. Retrieved on 20 December 2006.
  18. ^ Holwell heads to Leinster. ercrugby.com. Retrieved on 20 December 2006.
  19. ^ Brock James knocked back from Hurricanes. rugby.com.au. Retrieved on 20 December.
  20. ^ McAlister wants to be a Hurricane. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 20 December 2006.
  21. ^ New Hurricanes Captain. hurricanes.co.nz. Retrieved on 21 December 2006.
  22. ^ Crusaders win eerie Super 14 tournament. planetrugby.com. Retrieved on 20 December 2006.
  23. ^ Hurricanes report NZ$1.36m profit. Scrum.com. Retrieved on 22 December 2006.
  24. ^ Investec. Team Hurricanes History. SuperBru. Retrieved on 14 April 2006.
  25. ^ Wellington Hurricane. teara.govt.nz. Retrieved on 21 December 2006.
  26. ^ Super 14 Tables. Lassen Creative Technologies Ltd. Retrieved on 20 September 2006.
  27. ^ "2008 Super 14 squads announced", nzherald.co.nz, 2007-10-31. Retrieved on 2007-10-31. 
  28. ^ All Blacks named for reconditioning programme. allblacks.com. Retrieved on 22 December 2006.


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