Richard Loe: Super Cooper has the knowledge to keep Hurricanes near the top of the tree

After Friday night's game, we can say the Hurricanes have now come of age.

A lot of teams often return from a tough trip to South Africa and are knocked over in their first game but, even though the Hurricanes played poorly on Friday night, they still managed to put away an improving Sharks outfit. And that's what good sides do.

It means next week's game against the Crusaders looms as a final before its time because it would not come as a surprise to me if the same two teams contest the Super 14 final.

The influence Colin Cooper is having on this side is certainly a positive one and he seems to have borrowed a lot of ideas from the Crusaders camp.

They are not quite as clinical as the Cantabrians but they're not far off, and Cooper seems to know his players now.

This was no better illustrated than when halfback Piri Weepu was dragged from the field with 15 minutes to play and replaced by Brendan Haami. Some might have said this was a big call with the game on the line and Weepu doing little wrong but Haami's was an inspired substitution because he played out of his skin. Jason Eaton had the same effect as well.

Often substitutions can disrupt the flow and structure of a game but the Hurricanes are normally getting things right and the guys coming are making an impact.

I think the Hurricanes are on a level pegging with the Crusaders at the moment and have the ability to go all the way.

The only thing that worries me is they sometimes lack a little composure and have let games slip by. In the past, the sort of passes that Lome Fa'atau threw inside to Chris Masoe didn't stick or a foot was in touch - now they're going to hand and that often happens to a winning side. It's certainly a hallmark of the Crusaders.

While the Hurricanes might be following a Crusaders blueprint, Blues fans might be hoping someone could mail up the model to Auckland because they are poor at the moment.

The most worrying thing for Graham Henry is that his All Black players are badly out of form and will need to turn their fortunes around if they are to hang onto their places.

Henry has said in the past that he will pick on form and thatputs a big black mark through the Blues players. For them to have lost form so badly in six months is a huge concern and if he were to pick them, he would have to backtrack on what he has been saying.

Although Henry has been loyal to some of his players in the past, don't forget he dumped Joe Rokocoko last year and told him to regain form even though he was the incumbent.

With a trip to South Africa still to look forward to, it would be a brave man to bet on the Blues making the playoffs. To be down with the Western Force must be quite galling for fans, particularly when you consider the Force is a new side under a new coach - the Blues have been doing this for more than a decade.

People might point the finger at the coach but he's not the one performing so badly out in the middle. And it needs to be remembered, the side is littered with supposedly good players.

With John Afoa, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock in the front row, and Saimone Taumopeau coming off the bench, it's as good as any in the competition. The second row is also classy, but not firing, and they have a load of exciting backs.

They might be able to turn things around but can only look on with envy at the Hurricanes and Crusaders. Maybe next year.

-HERALD ON SUNDAY