Rugby: Hammer falls on Hurricanes' game

Aaron Cruden of the Hurricanes. Photo / Getty Images

During his playing days, Mark Hammett was a no-nonsense hardworking hooker.

He would not have been near the top of the pile when they dished out athletic ability and a range of skills.

But "Hammer" had other assets which allowed him to make up for some of those deficiencies. He had self-belief and coupling that with a serious work ethic, he caught and overtook many of his competitors.

His dedication allowed him to deliver consistently reliable and high-class performances for his coaches and teammates.

Those qualities pushed him into two World Cup campaigns, 29 tests and a multitude of appearances for Canterbury and the Crusaders.

During those times he soaked up coaching ideas and philosophies used by Wayne Smith, Steve Hansen and Robbie Deans. It was a rich school of experience and Hammett was a blotter pupil.

He entered the coaching staff with the Crusaders in 2005 and for six years stacked knowledge on top of experience.

He was ambitious, too. The 39-year-old wanted his own gig and he got it when Colin Cooper left the Hurricanes.

So how was Hammett going to deal with a side with oodles of talent, lots of individuals with stacks of talent yet only one runners-up finish in the 15 years of competition?

Hammett knew part of the solution but probably, like the rest of New Zealand, did not know whether he would be able to implement it.

He had a backline to die for, as good as any in the land but his forwards were an undisciplined and unreliable lot.

Hammett made some sort of statement with his side for tonight's opener against the Highlanders in Wellington.

He rejigged his front row with Michael Bent replacing seasoned All Black Neemia Tialata at tighthead. Bent has strong form, is a provincial colleague of skipper Andrew Hore and works hard Hammett-style.

With James Broadhurst and a reconstituted Jason Eaton picked as locks, Hammett pushed the versatile Mark Reddish to blindside and Victor Vito back to No 8.

Over to you, boys, show me you've got what it takes, show me you are up to this level or I'll try others, Hammett may as well have said.

Their response and that of injured or benched former test players like Tialata, Rodney So'oialo, John Schwalger and Bryn Evans will be a fascinating aspect of the Hurricanes' performances.

Behind the ball-winners they will be deprived of Piri Weepu for some time yet as the All Black halfback recovers from his broken ankle.

But in men like repeat test five eighths aspirant Aaron Cruden and rising wing Julian Savea, the Canes have an extra-hungry edge to go with the clout of Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Hosea Gear and Cory Jane.

Around that ability, Hammett will be demanding organisation and concentration. He will not bring a Crusaders' template to the side but he will want stronger discipline from his side, a better framework so they can present their skills.

The coach will also be after a tougher defensive line - which is another byproduct of ramping up a harder mental approach from the Canes.

Around all of this Cruden shapes as a key component.

The 22-year-old had a remarkable rookie season with the Hurricanes and elevation to the All Blacks last year. That thrill was tempered when he was bypassed for the end-of-year tour to Europe.

But the kid has some game and a strong temperament.

He will need all of that and so will the Hurricanes as they deal without Weepu's impact and control from halfback. Cruden's skill can make up for that and his health may be a barometer for the side's fortunes.

Captain Hore is the right sort of hombre to demand plenty from his pack.

He missed a huge chunk of last year with a shoulder injury and watched old mate Keven Mealamu sidle past him in top form.

If Hore recaptures his bite early and takes the rest of the yellow and blacks with him, the Hurricanes could give the competition a decent shake. If you had a dollar for every time that has been written in the last 15 seasons, you would be wealthy.

Instead most of their supporters probably keep the TAB afloat with their optimistic yet flawed investments.

Over to you, Canes - is this going to be Hammer time?