Expect a slightly more circumspect Hurricanes for what will likely be their last home game of 2017 on Saturday night against the 14-0 Crusaders.
That tweaking of approach is not just due to the storm that has hit the capital, and any residual effect in two days' hence, but more for the realisation that they only have to win, rather than pursue a bonus point, to finish fifth on the log and thus qualify for a quarter-final in Canberra. 'Only' having to win sounds straightforward enough were it not for the fact they are facing the competition leaders, who will be anxious to qualify top and thus guarantee home advantage through to the final. Scott Robertson's men will also be chastened by last month's 12-3 defeat by the Lions.
The Hurricanes have kicked just eight penalty goals all season, a competition low, but they might need a couple on Saturday night to keep their noses in front.
"We just need to be more patient and clinical in some areas. We've worked on that this week," says centre Vince Aso. "We have to build phases and get in the right areas through our game drivers. The Lions did a lot of kicking against them, so we'll look to isolate them under the high ball."
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd recalls a cold May night in Christchurch when his charges lost 20-12, "played too much rugby and our set-piece didn't function too well."
