The Hurricanes are wary of a Waratahs side showing more attacking tendencies than in recent Super Rugby seasons when they meet in Wellington on Saturday.
The seventh-placed Hurricanes and eighth-placed Waratahs have both won three matches, with the hosts unbeaten since round two while the visitors are coming off narrow home wins over the Blues and Western Force.
While coach Mark Hammett won’t describe the New South Welshmen as sizzling, he said “they’re playing a lot more rugby” than in recent seasons, possibly helped by the influence of his former Crusaders teammate and Waratahs backline coach Daryl Gibson.
Hammett said the Waratahs remain proficient at spoiling play around the breakdown, but a backline strike division led by rugby league convert Israel Folau at fullback had prompted some long sessions of video analysis this week.
“If you’ve got weapons like that you want to use them, don’t you?” Hammett said.
“They’ve certainly played with a bit more width over the last few weeks. We’ll see what the weather allows but I don’t think they will change much.”
Rain is forecast for the match, which wouldn’t have suited the 2012 Hurricanes, who were the most prolific attacking team in the competition while leaking plenty of points.
This year they sit in the middle of the 15-team championship in terms of points scored and points against.
Hammett hopes it reflects a more-rounded style, which is improving every week.
“We’re starting to get some of the detail a wee bit more ingrained right across the 15,” he said.
“I’m seeing it in our trainings and some of that takes a bit of time. There’s been new combinations each week just because of the attrition rate that’s happening.
“We’re at a stage now where we could put anyone on the field and we won’t get a lot of difference.”
The debut performance of talented openside flanker Ardie Savea will capture much interest, while the Hurricanes are also sure to try to unleash his older brother, giant All Blacks winger Julian, on opposite Peter Betham as often as possible.
