Tito has faith in Hurricanes
February 13, 2002

Lock Paul Tito doesn't believe too much should be read into the Hurricanes' pre-season form.

The positive outlook came on the back of another injury blow to the side, with lock Dion Waller out for possibly two weeks because of a fracture in his right hand.

It was sustained in last week's match against the Chiefs and, although he is in doubt for the opening Super 12 match against the Blues on February 22, he is expected to join his team-mates on the two-game trip to South Africa the following week.

With Waller's absence and an already rookie look to the tight five, Tito (pictured) has this season found himself a senior player in the side. "We've got Gordy (captain Gordon Slater) in there and a few leaders, so it doesn't really affect us," Tito said.

"We should all be leaders at this stage of our careers."

Gone from last year's tight five are Inoki Afeaki, hookers Norm Hewitt and Davin Heaps and English prop Kevin Yates. But Tito believes compensating for the lack of experience among this year's tight five is that the Taranaki contingent - himself, Slater, Jason Hooper, Tony Penn and hooker Andrew Hore - has played a fair amount together.

"Obviously everyone will be looking at the backline and hopefully we'll be able to sneak up on a few teams and give them a good go up front. It's a young tight five but we can't wait to rip into it," he said.

The match against the Brumbies in Hastings on Friday provides the Hurricanes with an opportunity to get some momentum going after losing to both the Highlanders and Chiefs in other pre-season games.

"(Against) the Highlanders we were average but I think we took a big step up against the Chiefs, so if we take that step up again this week I'm sure we'll be ready for the Brumbies," Tito said.

"I think we are on track. As long as we put out on the field what we do in training, then I think we are ready for the start of the Super 12." - Sapa

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