Hurricanes look backwards to go forward

All Blacks lock Bryn Evans says the Hurricanes pack have put the onus on themselves to try and get their Super 14 campaign back on track this weekend.

They play the in-form Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday (NZ time) with the Hurricanes coming off a shock loss to the Cheetahs last week.

The Bloemfontein match was a big step backwards for the Canes with the lineout and breakdown work particularly disappointing.

Evans says they have looked back to go forward with plenty of work going into the lineout at training this week.

"That's been a big focus," he said from Cape Town where he felt the side had trained well overnight.

"We have got a quality backline and it's up to us forwards to give them the chances.

"We have got to work hard at our set piece and give them the quality ball that's needed.

"We are disappointed with how we played last week. I think as a team we just have to go back to what we were doing at the start of the season."

The Canes put together three unbeaten matches to start their campaign but now face some major hurdles in South Africa with the champion Bulls following next week.

It's the Stormers that command their attention right now and they will see this as the game they have to get something out of.

The Stormers are an improved outfit this year. They have the same 3-1 win-loss ratio as the Hurricanes but they have momentum.

"They are a form side and there will be a big crowd ... it's our biggest game of the season," was how Evans summed up the occasion.

It will be a big game personally for Evans.

The 25-year-old is on the comeback from back surgery that took him out of the game last year just when he was making a major impact.

The bolter of the early All Blacks season got two tests under his belt and would clearly love more.

With Ali Williams and Jason Eaton having been sidelined for this season with serious injuries, there's a real opportunity for second rowers to put up their hands.

Evans felt he was getting up to speed again after his enforced layoff.

"I've been out of the game for a while but I think my lungs are adjusting to the pace again. I've just got to concentrate on my core jobs at scrum and lineout and hitting the rucks."

The acquisition of versatile Crusaders forward Michael Paterson has boosted the Canes and Evans said his experience from the red and black outfit was proving invaluable.

"He's a knowledgable guy and good to bounce ideas off. He's another option for out lineout and having someone who can guarantee ball is a great plus."

- © Fairfax NZ News