Rugby: High-spec Hurricanes have playoffs in their sights

The high-flying Hurricanes are aiming for their first Super Rugby playoffs appearance since 2009. Photo / Getty Images

The Hurricanes can break their playoff drought tonight.

They haven't played in the Super Rugby finals since 2009 - only six players remain on their roster from the team that lost 14-10 to the Chiefs in Hamilton in the semifinals that season - and the side has gone through a host of changes since.

The Hurricanes endured a transition period under former coach Mark Hammett from 2011 to 2014 as he did his best to clean up a franchise that needed an attitude adjustment.

The foundations were laid during those years as Hammett blooded young players and built a squad high on talent, with many of those men graduating to the All Blacks or collecting plenty of Super Rugby caps.

Coach Chris Boyd and his assistant John Plumtree have taken the side to another level this year, winning nine from 10 to start their campaign.

Generally 10 wins is good enough to earn a spot in the playoffs and victory over the Sharks at Westpac Stadium in Wellington tonight would be their 10th.

They're down on troops with first-five Beauden Barrett (knee) unavailable, while All Blacks TJ Perenara and Julian Savea have been rested.

In Barrett's place comes utility back James Marshall who will play perhaps the most important game of his Super Rugby career.

"Jimmy Marshall's an unbelievably talented footballer," Boyd said. "So I have every confidence he can play 10. He can play 15 for us and we could probably throw him in midfield if need be. His game management and organisation is up there."

Any injuries in the outside backs would see Marshall shift from the pivot spot as cover and give 20-year-old first-five Otere Black a chance to show his wares in what would be his second game of the season. Marshall will also kick the goals tonight.

The Sharks come in to the contest on the back of a crushing 48-15 defeat at the hands of the Highlanders in Dunedin last week, looking nothing like the side that was feared across the competition from 2008 to 2014 as they were regular playoff contenders.

Chief executive John Smit, a former stalwart of the side, took the unusual step of writing an open letter to fans this week, which was posted on social media, stressing that his management and coaching team were hurting as much as the fans.

How that will translate tonight remains to be seen but the 4-7 Sharks will be motivated to add some respectability to their ailing season.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes will be in royal company today with Prince Harry expected to be at the game and to meet players after the final whistle.

Captain Conrad Smith said: "Hopefully we treat him to a good game."