So why is there a curious reluctance to shout, from the rooftops, that the defending Super Rugby champions, the Hurricanes, are in a prime position to go back-to- back for the first time since the 2012-13 Chiefs? Lock James Broadhurst is still not out of his concussion limbo, but that was the case in 2016. Pre-season is a notoriously unreliable guide, but the Hurricanes performed well in both 15s hit-outs and reached the Brisbane Tens semifinals. So the ingredients are there for the Hurricanes to again top the New Zealand Conference and win the whole shebang. They have the personnel, they have proven depth, they can play several styles, and they look ready to fire from round one.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 21, 2017 17:48 UTC