Ma’a Nonu went through the Hurricanes training session on Thursday with no problems. This allows coach Colin Cooper to name an unchanged lineup for Saturday’s Super 14 final against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
The Hurricanes have not been in a final so their big match temperament will be tested. “I’m telling the guys to enjoy the week,” said Jerry Collins on the Hurricanes website.
“I’ve told them to enjoy the fans coming up in the street saying ‘good luck’ because they’ve got smiles on their faces – we should have smiles on our faces too because there is no shame in making the final.
“You also don’t know when you are going to be back here (in the final) next so you’ve got to enjoy the ride.”
Hurricanes lock Paul Tito said the team is excited about the challenge of playing the five-time Super Rugby champions the Crusaders on their home soil in the season finale.
‘They’ve been the benchmark for last six or seven years, they can spin it wide when they have to and take it up through the forwards – we’re going to have to be covering all our areas,’ said Tito.
‘It’s the first final we’ve been in and we’re not going to die wondering. We’re going to go down there and give it our best shot.’
Hurricanes:
15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Lome Fa’atau, 13 Ma’a Nonu, 12 Tana Umaga, 11 Shannon Paku, 10 David Holwell, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So’oialo (c), 7 Chris Masoe, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Paul Tito, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 John Schwalger.
Reserves: 16 Luke Mahoney, 17 Joe McDonnell, 18 Luke Andrews, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Brendan Haami, 21 Jimmy Gopperth, 22 Tamati Ellison.
