Super 14 week 14KEY POINTS:
Widespread support exists among Super 14 rugby coaches for the competition's playoffs to be expanded to include more teams, Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper said today.
The Hurricanes squeezed into next weekend's semifinals at the expense of the Stormers, who failed to secure the necessary bonus point in their 22-13 win over the Lions in Johannesburg today.
Less fortunate were another New Zealand side, the Blues, who had beaten the Hurricanes 19-17 in a thriller last Friday night to maintain their slim hopes of survival, but found subsequent results going against them.
Cooper agreed with departing Blues coach David Nucifora that a 14-team competition would be better served with a six-strong playoff series.
"We've been saying that (for) a couple of years now," he said.
"It's such a tough competition and we sell ourselves short, really."
Cooper said it was view that "definitely" had plenty of backing among Super 14 coaches.
The Hurricanes, who had gone into the final round second in the standings, ended up fourth and now face a trip to Christchurch to meet runaway top qualifiers the Crusaders next Saturday.
The other semifinal will pit the New South Wales Waratahs against the Sharks in Sydney, also on Saturday.
Cooper had told his players immediately after their loss in Auckland to do their usual recovery and prepare as if they had made the cut.
He admitted he had fallen asleep early this morning when the Hurricanes' playoff spot was finally confirmed.
He had intended to watch the Stormers play the Lions, but nodded off and was woken when text messages starting coming in.
"I'm happy we've got there because it's been a tough year," he said.
"We had an opportunity to get a home semi, so that was disappointing. But again, we got a point out of it that got us into the top four."
Cooper said he did not watch the Crusaders go down to an upset 14-26 loss to the Highlanders last night, but the result did not really surprise him.
In 2004, the Hurricanes, who were out of playoff contention, had done the same thing to the Crusaders, then confirmed semifinalists.
"A lot of it is mental focus," Cooper said.
"I also think the Highlanders have been getting momentum. They're a team with a lot of players who didn't know each other and the way their coaches have put them together is great to see."
The Hurricanes came through their torrid battle with the Blues without any major injuries.
The only concern was over skipper Rodney So'oialo's sore ribs.
The No 8 had pulled up well, but would be monitored over the course of this week.
Neither Nucifora nor skipper Troy Flavell was available today to talk about seeing the Blues' hopes finally snuffed out.
Instead, the Blues will be a post-season media session on Tuesday.
But Nucifora, who like Flavell, is among those leaving the franchise, said expanding the finals to six teams should be considered.
"This competition is too tough," he said.
"It is one of the toughest in the world because of all the extraordinary factors that make it up. Four teams out of a 14-team competition is tough."
He said the fact that more than 37,000 fans turned up at Eden Park on Friday for what had been billed as a virtual quarterfinal, and the intense contest that unfolded, were further arguments supporting an expanded format.
- NZPA
