Super Rugby
Stars firing but Canes' contributors are everywhere
Jonathan McCormick
May 28, 2015
The Hurricanes are finally delivering on their talent-rich squad © Getty Images
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The Hurricanes have undoubtedly set the standard in this year's Super Rugby and will deservedly secure top spot for the playoffs with just three further competition points.

That will be the goal this Friday when they take to the field to face the under-strength Crusaders in Nelson, a side they defeated in a superb all-round performance a few weeks ago. They will again be without the injured Beauden Barrett but, as the numbers from Opta Stats reveal, the competition leaders have built an excellent squad - one that is performing in both attack and defence.

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The Standout Stats

The Hurricanes' strengths have been devastating with ball in hand this season; they average the most metres gained (533) and defenders beaten (23) per game while only three teams have made more clean breaks (11) and offloads (13). However, it is the ability to turn these impressive running stats into tries which sets them apart - the Canes have crossed the stripe more than any other team in 2015 (45). This has helped mask one of their few weaknesses this year - goal-kicking success stands at just 68% - but when you score five-pointers at will the twos and threes become less important.

In defence they are strong, too, with their 88% tackle success bettered only by the Lions. The Hurricanes are also number one when it comes to the scrum - the forwards providing a dependable platform for their exciting backline while also making up for a below par lineout.

A Steady Improvement

There is a feeling the Hurricanes have steadily been building and improving over the last few seasons, despite their inability to make the playoffs, and the number appear to support such a theory. They have improved their point and try tallies over the last three years - thanks to improvements in metres gained, clean breaks and defenders beaten - but what is most impressive is the fact they have simultaneously conceded fewer points and tries per game, too. This may well be down to several factors, with the main one being they have tackled at a marginally higher success rate year upon year, seeing a jump from 86% in 2014 to 88% this season.

The Canes have opted to kick less from hand in 2015, which may be a reason for their improvement in attack, while they have also shown a willingness to run from deep inside their own half in the hope of exploiting bigger bodies in the opposition defence. It is certainly a theory that is supported by the stats; the Canes have scored a competition-high 17 tries from inside their own half.

Chris Boyd's men have also cut down on the amount of turnovers they concede while they are also forcing an average of 8.1 turnovers in 2015 compared to 6.6 two seasons ago and, despite their lineout fading slightly, they have created a far more stable platform through the scrum. They also make up for their lineout deficiencies via an increasing ability to steal the opposition's throw.

The Key Men

The Hurricanes have performed well as a team, but they can also boast some of this season's star players. They have lit up Super Rugby 2015 with ball in hand, and many of their line breaks and defenders beaten have come through Julian Savea. The All Blacks winger has gained 907 metres, beaten 40 defenders and made 19 clean breaks, placing Savea in the top five for each of those categories this season. He also ranks fourth for tries scored, showing he can finish off those breaks, too; not that anyone would question the try-scoring ability of a man who has 30 five-pointers in 33 Test matches for New Zealand.

Another man who has been able to sniff out the tryline this season is TJ Perenara. The livewire scrum-half has crossed for eight tries of his own, putting him joint top of the charts. Overall he has been directly involved in 15 tries - adding seven assists to his eight tries - more than any other player. In addition to this Perenara has also epitomised his side's improved tackle success this season, with the No.9 missing just three tackles in a position where a strong defensive ability is a bonus. In fact, his completion this season stands at 95%, which is the best of any scrum-half to attempt more than three tackles. Similarly, Callum Gibbins has also stood out for his tackling ability; the backrower making 118 tackles and missing just four (97%), while his fellow loose forwards Victor Vito (93%) and Ardie Savea (92%) also boast success rates of over 90%.

TJ Perenara has been at the heart of the Hurricanes' attack this season © Getty Images
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Barrett has also played an important part this season, particularly with ball in hand. The All Blacks first-five averages 68 metres gained and 2.6 defenders beaten per game - more than any other fly half this season - while only Bernard Foley has averaged more than Barrett's one clean break per game. If the Canes' No.10 can tidy up his modest kicking percentage (67%) when he returns from injury he will easily be the standout fly-half in Super Rugby this season.

In Summary

Despite being littered with world class players, the Hurricanes have also proven to be an incredibly cohesive unit and it is no surprise that they are top of the standings. The Canes have certainly created a whirlwind in Super Rugby this year, but as the season draws to its climax coach Boyd will be hoping this Hurricane doesn't blow itself out.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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