The Hurricanes and Chiefs meet for the first time in Super Rugby this season - 11 months on from the Chiefs' dramatic win in last year's semifinals in the capital.
The Hurricanes season has been given a new lease of live with the return from injury of starting midfielders Billy Proctor and Riley Higgins.
Higgins joined Adam Cooper to talk about his return from injury and the team's recent success in Australia.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's nine past eight though, and a big Super Rugby
match set down at sky Stadium tonight between the Hurricanes
and the Chiefs. Of course, the Hurricanes on the back
of the draw and win against the Force and Brumbies respectively.
Across the Tasman they're back home fifth on the ladder
heading into the weekend four wins from ten games, taking
on the top of table Chiefs who are eight from ten,
(00:23):
but without a couple of key players. Now you might
remember the last time the Chiefs came to town was
during the semi finals last year. The Hurricanes had been
the benchmark team all year. The Chiefs came here and
this happens.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
They just need to give it into touch save your road,
doesn't and for the second time in successive seasons, the
Chiefs are headed for the Grand Final. The Chiefs have
won the second semi final of Wellington, beating the Hurricanes
by thirty points to nineteen.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Yeah, so that was the last time these two teams
squared off. It was a thriller, but it went well
in favor of the Chiefs there. Interestingly enough, for a
couple of the key players won't be playing an influential
role for the Chiefs tonight. Obviously Damien McKenzie, he was
a star that night. He is out injured. There's no
Anton Lennet Brown for the Chiefs tonight either, he's out
for the season with an injury. And of course Wallace
(01:15):
a Titi who played brilliantly in that semi final last
year for the Chiefs, arguably was that the key contributed
to their win. He's obviously been battling a season's long
injury and only returns off the bench last week. He's
off the bench again tonight, so it could be a
big bit of an impact player later on in the
game for the Chiefs. Well, let's find out how the
Hurricanes are preparing. Four things. I popped along to their
(01:37):
team training during the week. There was certainly a spring
in the depth of a lot of players after the
success they had in the tough, stomping ground of Canberra
to beat the Brumbies, and I caught up with well
one of the returning midfielders who, alongside Billy Proctor Riley Higgins,
they've both been battling injuries this season. They're both a
couple of weeks into their returns starting again for the
(01:57):
Canes tonight, so I spoke to Riley Higgins at the
training base during the week. Raley, how proud was the
team of the efforts over there in Canberra to wrap
up an important couple of weeks across the ditch.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Yeah, and the boys were pretty excited after the game. Obviously,
draw to the Force the week before kind of, I
guess made it more of a thing that we needed
to win, and obviously with us not winning since twenty seventeen,
it was definitely in the back of our minds. It's
kind of our season on the line, and yeah, we
(02:28):
needed to win. So it's pretty awesome to get the
job done against a good Brumby side.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
And how was it for you being able to run
out with Billy for both of your first starts of
the year. What does that mean?
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Yeah, obviously we've had kind of a long wait throughout
the year. Pretty tough watching the boys and not being
able to go out there, but yeah, it's definitely exciting
to get out there, especially with him play off his
color and what he brings to the team. So yeah,
he's an awesome play and to go out there was
pretty cool with him, and you've.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Got another shot alongside Billy starting again this week. You
obviously had pretty similar time frames in terms of the
injury recovery, both starting together for the first time of
the season last weekend, once again the same deal to
make the Chiefs this week. Do you want to just
tell us about that combo. It's one that I guess
you're you're quite familiar with and year's gone by with
Lions and Canes.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Yeah. Yeah, so my first first kind of year in
pro foot, he was with the Lions obviously, and he
was there kind of yeah, I guess playing played inside
him quite a bit, kind of grown off him as
well as a as a towel. I've been inside him.
It brings a lot on defense and kind of makes
(03:39):
it pretty easy easy to be out there inside him,
tells me what to do most of the time, who
to get. So, yeah, he's he's definitely a player, and
Joey playing inside and having him outside me is yeah,
definitely helps my game as well.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
And you and him in particular have been credited with
making quite the impact on your returns. How proud have
you been with what you've been able to contribute to
straight off the back of the injury.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Yeah, I was definitely happy, kind of getting getting back
in the team last week against the Force, I thought, Yeah,
obviously coming on at halftime with Pete's concussion, so it
was a pretty good opportunity for me to kind of
express how how I left off last year with lines
and my season last year. So yeah, I guess kind
of I knew what was what was on the line
(04:24):
kind of obviously, it's a pretty pretty stuff competition in
the midfield, so everyone's just putting putting their best foot forward.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
How did you cope with a couple of months on
the sidelines and you know, just talk us through what
it was like day and day out, having to sit
out everything. Yeah, I was, I guess pretty lucky kind
of with a hand you can still kind of run
and get involved with things.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
It was a couple of weeks and not being able
to do team training and then after that I'm kind
of getting my skills back and running in that. So, yeah,
was obviously pretty hard, but I tried tried staying involved
and doing everything I could kind of help the boys
and my position and help the team as well.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Very Australia for to say, the Canes had been struggling
to get some momentum, but coming from the Australian League
of your season now not losing a game over there,
What have the last two weekends done to the team's confidence.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Yeah, obviously it brings brings a bit of confidence to us.
I guess most of the teams back are healthy, so
it's bringing a lot of competition within the group as well.
But yeah, I think everyone kind of in the environment
is pretty I wouldn't say happy were we're at. We
can obviously get better, but yeah, I guess there's a
(05:33):
bit of confidence after last week, and obviously it's going
to be a big challenge this week against I guess
kind of the competition leaders and the Chiefs and I
guess we kind of talked about it. We can choose
our season ends. If we want to win this game,
we can win this game. But yeah, it's kind of
all up to us and what we want to do.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
And how are you approaching this one? Because we know
earlier in the season there's been some good wins, but
then off and often not being able to follow those
up with wins the following week. That consistency has been lacking.
So what's sort of been that the focus and approach
this week making sure you do get to on the
bounce here.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Yeah, obviously it has been a pretty pretty up and
down season. But I guess each week we've kind of
been been taking it as a new week, new boys
come in and new boys not playing. But yeah, everyone's
everyone's helping each other and what we can do to
kind of be the best we can as a team.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
Of course, the Chiefs first trip back to sky Stadium
since the semi final last year, they had a very
successful trip down.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Then.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Has there been much talk of making amends for what
went wrong in that decider last year?
Speaker 3 (06:39):
There hasn't been too much chat about it. Obviously, the
boys who played last year kind of kind of know
what their feeling was and how good of a team
the Chiefs are. So yeah, like I said before, we're
kind of just taking it each week at a time. Obviously,
we know that we need to win pretty much most
of most of the most of the games the rest
(07:00):
of the season. So yeah, obviously the boys are pretty excited,
and yeah, everyone's up for the challenge.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
And just finally no Damien McKenzie, no Anton Lennett Brown.
Does that change things for you? And the lead up?
Speaker 3 (07:13):
It doesn't really change too much obviously. There they're great players.
They're all blacks. They're one of the best in their
in their positions in the world. And yeah, I guess
Chiefs of Storff are bloody good team. So it's going
to be obviously a tough game. And yeah, we those
two players don't really change much. We're going to take the.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Chiefs Riley Higgins. They were the thoughts of the Canes
midfielder when I was at the Canes training base during
the week, so yes, he'll be starting once again alongside
Billy Proctor in the midfield tonight. And I don't think
we can underestimate the impact that those two players had,
particularly against the Brumbies last week, but of course also
coming on as injury replacements in their returns from injury
for that draw against the Force as well. Another interesting
(07:56):
player who's made a bit of an impact of this year,
possibly unexpect league, and he initially wasn't in the Hurricane
squad for twenty twenty five is Callum Harkin. Of course,
he was a standout club player for Old Boys University
last year, stood out for the Lions and the NPC,
and it wasn't until the Canes started to pick up
a few injuries early in pre season that he was
(08:17):
called in to the Hurricanes camp and fast forward to
now tonight when he starts at fullback. It'll be his
fifth start of the season for the Hurricanes and he
spoke to the media during the week. He was asked
about being a top player in club rugby with OBU
coming into a Super Rugby and NPC environment and does
that kind of feel like a bit of a yo yo.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
Yeah, I think it is if you allow it to be.
I think you just take everything in your stride. And
I was probably guilty of putting a lot of pressure
on myself at club level and I'm not so much
doing that at this level. I think there's enough pressures
from other external things that I don't need to be
putting pressure on myself. And just I think the boys
(08:59):
boys back me, and I backed the boys and that's
all that you need in terms of information to perform.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
Of course, this time a year ago, Callum Harkin was
playing club rugby for OBU in the weekends, he was
a full time builder outside of that, so he was
also asked what he would have been up to over
this past week a year ago during the tough weather
if he wasn't in the Canes team, I'd still.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
Be building and wouldn't be much fun on a day
like today. Boss doesn't like to pack it in, so
I'm sure the boys are still out there on the tools.
But I'm lucky enough to be throwing the over ball round,
so yeah, very lucky.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
It's club rugby night tonight for the Hurricanes as well,
so they're all wearing their club rugby socks. And for
Callum Harkin, even though he's recently been with OBU, he's
going to be wearing his well first club's socks Eastbown
and he spoke of it during the week as well
about the decade long dominance Eastbourne had in junior club
rugby when he was a part of it. All went
on for a very long winning stretch.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Yep, we from under fives to under twelves. We didn't
lose a game. We lost the first game to Huddle
Boys on my birthday and I remember remember here's probably
twenty minutes to go. I think we only played like
thirty minute halves or something at that level. I remember
just crying like game wasn't even done and I was
in tears. And that was the first loss I still
remember it to this day. I'll never get over it.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Yeah, Callum Park and they're great to hear from him
during the week and nice that he's been able to
contribute to the Canes this year. So he's at fall
back tonight as part of the star started backline with
Billie Procter and Rdley Higgins. As we've mentioned so seven
oh five kickoff. Of course all Eyes as well will
be on the big half back match up to cam
Roy Guard versus All Blacks team mate coll Tiers at
Atma Ratima starting in the nine jersey for the Chiefs
(10:36):
and from a Chief's perspective, he was asked about the
Caines threats for this one too.
Speaker 5 (10:41):
Oh, they've got good players all around the park, so
everyone's a threat with the Hurricanes, the strong ball carriers there,
they know the game pretty well and yeah they've got
good drivers behind them. So for us, it's just about
staying on winning collisions where we can and hopefully you
(11:02):
can do another job there.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Yeah, we we'll see there. Certainly, I'm sure will be
drawing to their experience of that semi final last year
when the when the Chicknes were toppled by the Chiefs
at sky Stadium in the final four and twenty twenty four.
So seven oh five kickoff at sky Stadium tonight. Nice
that the weather's cleared for it, so get along and
cheer for the Canes if you're around. Going to be
a big game for them, and obviously with the Blues
(11:26):
getting back into the top six level on points with
the fifth placed Hurricanes after that Blues went over the
Force last night, things are going to be pretty tight.
So wins at this point of the season very important
for all teams, but particularly in that congested area of
the table where the Hurricanes are around that sort of
those fringe positions for those final spots in the top six.
(11:46):
So looking forward to the game tonight, seven oh five,
you can't get along commentary live and free over on
gold Sport on fifteen oh three AM and iHeartRadio. Jason
Pine and the team will be keeping you right up
to date with the game with all the analysis too,
so tune in for that for more from News Talks
ed B listen live on air or online, and keep
our shows with you wherever you go with our podcasts
(12:09):
on iHeartRadio
It's nine past eight though, and a big Super Rugby
match set down at sky Stadium tonight between the Hurricanes
and the Chiefs. Of course, the Hurricanes on the back
of the draw and win against the Force and Brumbies respectively.
Across the Tasman they're back home fifth on the ladder
heading into the weekend four wins from ten games, taking
on the top of table Chiefs who are eight from ten,
(00:23):
but without a couple of key players. Now you might
remember the last time the Chiefs came to town was
during the semi finals last year. The Hurricanes had been
the benchmark team all year. The Chiefs came here and
this happens.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
They just need to give it into touch save your road,
doesn't and for the second time in successive seasons, the
Chiefs are headed for the Grand Final. The Chiefs have
won the second semi final of Wellington, beating the Hurricanes
by thirty points to nineteen.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Yeah, so that was the last time these two teams
squared off. It was a thriller, but it went well
in favor of the Chiefs there. Interestingly enough, for a
couple of the key players won't be playing an influential
role for the Chiefs tonight. Obviously Damien McKenzie, he was
a star that night. He is out injured. There's no
Anton Lennet Brown for the Chiefs tonight either, he's out
for the season with an injury. And of course Wallace
(01:15):
a Titi who played brilliantly in that semi final last
year for the Chiefs, arguably was that the key contributed
to their win. He's obviously been battling a season's long
injury and only returns off the bench last week. He's
off the bench again tonight, so it could be a
big bit of an impact player later on in the
game for the Chiefs. Well, let's find out how the
Hurricanes are preparing. Four things. I popped along to their
(01:37):
team training during the week. There was certainly a spring
in the depth of a lot of players after the
success they had in the tough, stomping ground of Canberra
to beat the Brumbies, and I caught up with well
one of the returning midfielders who, alongside Billy Proctor Riley Higgins,
they've both been battling injuries this season. They're both a
couple of weeks into their returns starting again for the
(01:57):
Canes tonight, so I spoke to Riley Higgins at the
training base during the week. Raley, how proud was the
team of the efforts over there in Canberra to wrap
up an important couple of weeks across the ditch.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Yeah, and the boys were pretty excited after the game. Obviously,
draw to the Force the week before kind of, I
guess made it more of a thing that we needed
to win, and obviously with us not winning since twenty seventeen,
it was definitely in the back of our minds. It's
kind of our season on the line, and yeah, we
(02:28):
needed to win. So it's pretty awesome to get the
job done against a good Brumby side.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
And how was it for you being able to run
out with Billy for both of your first starts of
the year. What does that mean?
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Yeah, obviously we've had kind of a long wait throughout
the year. Pretty tough watching the boys and not being
able to go out there, but yeah, it's definitely exciting
to get out there, especially with him play off his
color and what he brings to the team. So yeah,
he's an awesome play and to go out there was
pretty cool with him, and you've.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Got another shot alongside Billy starting again this week. You
obviously had pretty similar time frames in terms of the
injury recovery, both starting together for the first time of
the season last weekend, once again the same deal to
make the Chiefs this week. Do you want to just
tell us about that combo. It's one that I guess
you're you're quite familiar with and year's gone by with
Lions and Canes.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Yeah. Yeah, so my first first kind of year in
pro foot, he was with the Lions obviously, and he
was there kind of yeah, I guess playing played inside
him quite a bit, kind of grown off him as
well as a as a towel. I've been inside him.
It brings a lot on defense and kind of makes
(03:39):
it pretty easy easy to be out there inside him,
tells me what to do most of the time, who
to get. So, yeah, he's he's definitely a player, and
Joey playing inside and having him outside me is yeah,
definitely helps my game as well.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
And you and him in particular have been credited with
making quite the impact on your returns. How proud have
you been with what you've been able to contribute to
straight off the back of the injury.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Yeah, I was definitely happy, kind of getting getting back
in the team last week against the Force, I thought, Yeah,
obviously coming on at halftime with Pete's concussion, so it
was a pretty good opportunity for me to kind of
express how how I left off last year with lines
and my season last year. So yeah, I guess kind
of I knew what was what was on the line
(04:24):
kind of obviously, it's a pretty pretty stuff competition in
the midfield, so everyone's just putting putting their best foot forward.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
How did you cope with a couple of months on
the sidelines and you know, just talk us through what
it was like day and day out, having to sit
out everything. Yeah, I was, I guess pretty lucky kind
of with a hand you can still kind of run
and get involved with things.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
It was a couple of weeks and not being able
to do team training and then after that I'm kind
of getting my skills back and running in that. So, yeah,
was obviously pretty hard, but I tried tried staying involved
and doing everything I could kind of help the boys
and my position and help the team as well.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Very Australia for to say, the Canes had been struggling
to get some momentum, but coming from the Australian League
of your season now not losing a game over there,
What have the last two weekends done to the team's confidence.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Yeah, obviously it brings brings a bit of confidence to us.
I guess most of the teams back are healthy, so
it's bringing a lot of competition within the group as well.
But yeah, I think everyone kind of in the environment
is pretty I wouldn't say happy were we're at. We
can obviously get better, but yeah, I guess there's a
(05:33):
bit of confidence after last week, and obviously it's going
to be a big challenge this week against I guess
kind of the competition leaders and the Chiefs and I
guess we kind of talked about it. We can choose
our season ends. If we want to win this game,
we can win this game. But yeah, it's kind of
all up to us and what we want to do.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
And how are you approaching this one? Because we know
earlier in the season there's been some good wins, but
then off and often not being able to follow those
up with wins the following week. That consistency has been lacking.
So what's sort of been that the focus and approach
this week making sure you do get to on the
bounce here.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Yeah, obviously it has been a pretty pretty up and
down season. But I guess each week we've kind of
been been taking it as a new week, new boys
come in and new boys not playing. But yeah, everyone's
everyone's helping each other and what we can do to
kind of be the best we can as a team.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
Of course, the Chiefs first trip back to sky Stadium
since the semi final last year, they had a very
successful trip down.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Then.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Has there been much talk of making amends for what
went wrong in that decider last year?
Speaker 3 (06:39):
There hasn't been too much chat about it. Obviously, the
boys who played last year kind of kind of know
what their feeling was and how good of a team
the Chiefs are. So yeah, like I said before, we're
kind of just taking it each week at a time. Obviously,
we know that we need to win pretty much most
of most of the most of the games the rest
(07:00):
of the season. So yeah, obviously the boys are pretty excited,
and yeah, everyone's up for the challenge.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
And just finally no Damien McKenzie, no Anton Lennett Brown.
Does that change things for you? And the lead up?
Speaker 3 (07:13):
It doesn't really change too much obviously. There they're great players.
They're all blacks. They're one of the best in their
in their positions in the world. And yeah, I guess
Chiefs of Storff are bloody good team. So it's going
to be obviously a tough game. And yeah, we those
two players don't really change much. We're going to take the.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Chiefs Riley Higgins. They were the thoughts of the Canes
midfielder when I was at the Canes training base during
the week, so yes, he'll be starting once again alongside
Billy Proctor in the midfield tonight. And I don't think
we can underestimate the impact that those two players had,
particularly against the Brumbies last week, but of course also
coming on as injury replacements in their returns from injury
for that draw against the Force as well. Another interesting
(07:56):
player who's made a bit of an impact of this year,
possibly unexpect league, and he initially wasn't in the Hurricane
squad for twenty twenty five is Callum Harkin. Of course,
he was a standout club player for Old Boys University
last year, stood out for the Lions and the NPC,
and it wasn't until the Canes started to pick up
a few injuries early in pre season that he was
(08:17):
called in to the Hurricanes camp and fast forward to
now tonight when he starts at fullback. It'll be his
fifth start of the season for the Hurricanes and he
spoke to the media during the week. He was asked
about being a top player in club rugby with OBU
coming into a Super Rugby and NPC environment and does
that kind of feel like a bit of a yo yo.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
Yeah, I think it is if you allow it to be.
I think you just take everything in your stride. And
I was probably guilty of putting a lot of pressure
on myself at club level and I'm not so much
doing that at this level. I think there's enough pressures
from other external things that I don't need to be
putting pressure on myself. And just I think the boys
(08:59):
boys back me, and I backed the boys and that's
all that you need in terms of information to perform.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
Of course, this time a year ago, Callum Harkin was
playing club rugby for OBU in the weekends, he was
a full time builder outside of that, so he was
also asked what he would have been up to over
this past week a year ago during the tough weather
if he wasn't in the Canes team, I'd still.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
Be building and wouldn't be much fun on a day
like today. Boss doesn't like to pack it in, so
I'm sure the boys are still out there on the tools.
But I'm lucky enough to be throwing the over ball round,
so yeah, very lucky.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
It's club rugby night tonight for the Hurricanes as well,
so they're all wearing their club rugby socks. And for
Callum Harkin, even though he's recently been with OBU, he's
going to be wearing his well first club's socks Eastbown
and he spoke of it during the week as well
about the decade long dominance Eastbourne had in junior club
rugby when he was a part of it. All went
on for a very long winning stretch.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Yep, we from under fives to under twelves. We didn't
lose a game. We lost the first game to Huddle
Boys on my birthday and I remember remember here's probably
twenty minutes to go. I think we only played like
thirty minute halves or something at that level. I remember
just crying like game wasn't even done and I was
in tears. And that was the first loss I still
remember it to this day. I'll never get over it.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Yeah, Callum Park and they're great to hear from him
during the week and nice that he's been able to
contribute to the Canes this year. So he's at fall
back tonight as part of the star started backline with
Billie Procter and Rdley Higgins. As we've mentioned so seven
oh five kickoff. Of course all Eyes as well will
be on the big half back match up to cam
Roy Guard versus All Blacks team mate coll Tiers at
Atma Ratima starting in the nine jersey for the Chiefs
(10:36):
and from a Chief's perspective, he was asked about the
Caines threats for this one too.
Speaker 5 (10:41):
Oh, they've got good players all around the park, so
everyone's a threat with the Hurricanes, the strong ball carriers there,
they know the game pretty well and yeah they've got
good drivers behind them. So for us, it's just about
staying on winning collisions where we can and hopefully you
(11:02):
can do another job there.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Yeah, we we'll see there. Certainly, I'm sure will be
drawing to their experience of that semi final last year
when the when the Chicknes were toppled by the Chiefs
at sky Stadium in the final four and twenty twenty four.
So seven oh five kickoff at sky Stadium tonight. Nice
that the weather's cleared for it, so get along and
cheer for the Canes if you're around. Going to be
a big game for them, and obviously with the Blues
(11:26):
getting back into the top six level on points with
the fifth placed Hurricanes after that Blues went over the
Force last night, things are going to be pretty tight.
So wins at this point of the season very important
for all teams, but particularly in that congested area of
the table where the Hurricanes are around that sort of
those fringe positions for those final spots in the top six.
(11:46):
So looking forward to the game tonight, seven oh five,
you can't get along commentary live and free over on
gold Sport on fifteen oh three AM and iHeartRadio. Jason
Pine and the team will be keeping you right up
to date with the game with all the analysis too,
so tune in for that for more from News Talks
ed B listen live on air or online, and keep
our shows with you wherever you go with our podcasts
(12:09):
on iHeartRadio
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