Hurricanes must find their mojo

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Friday night preview: Winning shouldn't be the sole priority for the Hurricanes, who will be without fullback Cory Jane in Christchurch. Having played like a blind man in a bookstore for the first two weeks of the Super 14, they need to find something as important as competition points against the Crusaders – their true identity.

Beating the Crusaders is tough enough – the Hurricanes have managed it just three times in 16 attempts and only once in Christchurch – but it will be impossible if they repeat the tactics of the opening two rounds.

Kicking should not be abandoned, but the Hurricanes must break away from a rugby personality that has been equivalent to a shy kid on the first day of school.

With a midfield of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, and Hosea Gear and Zac Guildford waiting out wide, a kick-and-chase approach tonight would border on criminal neglect, and lead to a loss. The Canes had to make a late change when Jane pulled out with an ankle injury, replaced at fullback by Tamati Ellison. Jason Kawau comes into the reserves.

There was also a late cleearance for lock Jason Eaton who has struggled with illness for much of the week.

The Crusaders are experts at soaking up kicks, returning them with interest, and sending up a wall of red-and-black that rarely breaks its formation.

To beat them you must attack from set piece, break the line and have the patience to carry the ball till they run out of defenders. If any of that is to happen, coach Colin Cooper knows more simple goals must be addressed first.

"As you saw last week, we haven't knitted that well," he said. "It's not far away I believe, but we just have to work harder and know when to kick, know when to run and get our defence a little bit better."

Piri Weepu's experience and confidence at first- five may provide the missing link for a Hurricanes side that has followed instructions for two weeks, but has forgotten to look up from the play book and find out what's actually going on.

Some of that has been down to rookie pivot Dan Kirkpatrick finding his feet, but Cooper is acutely aware his young No 10 has been given a laboured supply of ball from the breakdown.

Defenders have been given too much leeway in attacking the Hurricanes ball after the tackle and if it's not fixed tonight, Crusaders openside flanker Richie McCaw will steal more ball than a kleptomaniac in a shopping mall.

Back from suspension, No 8 Rodney So'oialo must lead this area after his flat first-up effort against the Waratahs.

"We are just looking at making sure we look after our ball and have opportunity for [quick] ball and with two sevens it gives you that," Cooper said in reference to his selection of Scott Waldrom and Karl Lowe on the sides of the scrum. "The breakdown is a key area for us."

Rookie hooker Ged Robinson will surprise those who have not seen him play, but it is questionable whether props John Schwalger and Tim Fairbrother can get the better of Ben Franks and Wyatt Crockett.

Jeremy Thrush and Eaton stepped things up last week, but in Brad Thorn and Ross Filipo they meet an equally good duo.

Get good ball and the Hurricanes have a backline that, on paper at least, shades their opposites in every position and is capable of deciding this match.

"We haven't had an ideal start and we don't exactly have any form behind us, but if we can get a win and play really well, that can kick-start our campaign," centre Conrad Smith mused this week.

That will only happen if they rediscover their swagger and find their identity as a team.

Crusaders: Stephen Brett, Jared Payne, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, Kade Poki, Colin Slade, Kahn Fotuali'i, Thomas Waldrom, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read, Ross Filipo, Brad Thorn, Ben Franks, Jason Macdonald, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Daniel Perrin, Bronson Murray, Isaac Ross, George Whitelock, Tyson Keats, Ryan Crotty, Adam Whitelock.

Hurricanes: Tamati Ellison, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Piri Weepu, Alby Mathewson, Rodney So'oialo (captain), Scott Waldrom, Karl Lowe, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Tim Fairbrother, Ged Robinson, John Schwalger. Reserves: Jacob Ellison, Neemia Tialata, Bryn Evans, Faifili Levave, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Jason Kawau, David Smith.

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