Surely it's time for Canes to do expected?

Hurricane's Nehe Milner-Skudder fends off Chief's Charlie Ngatai during the match between Hurricanes v Chiefs in round 14 of the 2015 Investec Super 15 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand, Sat

THE Hurricanes' old slogan "expect the unexpected" may be one of the most truthful things to have ever come out of a marketing office.

A cynic would say the "expect" part referred to the fact that a consistently star-studded squad, laced with All Black outside backs, should win a title from time to time. The "unexpected" was that the team would almost always fail.

Halfway through this decade and without a finals appearance since 2009, or a trophy ever, it felt like Hurricanes fans had come to accept their team's place in the rugby world was as the perennial underachievers.

Under a new coach, the fairly successful former Wellington Lions coach Chris Boyd, the Hurricanes have turned into one of the most dominant sides in any Super Rugby season. From kick-off at Ellis Park on February 13, the Hurricanes have been consistent, ruthless and entertaining. This is the Hurricanes' year, surely?

Success has come from having the right mix of veterans still at the top of their game and fresh talent.

Conrad Smith could've been an All Black captain had things worked out differently and Ma'a Nonu, in his last season, has finally learned how to play Super Rugby.

They have the best first-five in the world and a handful of exciting rookies, Nehe Milner-Skudder being the obvious example.

Boyd handled the mandatory rest weeks for his All Black players masterfully and the wider squad has stepped in seamlessly when injury has struck.

The Hurricanes finished so far ahead of the pack anything but the title would be disappointing.

They should handle the Brumbies in front of a home crowd and if the Highlanders knock over the Waratahs, it would set up the first all New Zealand final since 2006 and guarantee a new name is etched on the trophy.

The New Zealand teams deserve to be in the decider. Despite finishing fourth on the ladder due to the conference system, the Highlanders actually had the second best record in the competition and can win in Sydney.

The Highlanders are playing in their first semifinal since 2002 and would make their first final since 1999's southern derby final.

The Hurricanes have had five semifinals and lost their only final to a Crusaders side at the peak of their powers in 2006.

Following a Taranaki vs Tasman final in last year's ITM Cup, this year's dream Super final would also continue a quiet little power shift in New Zealand's domestic rugby scene.

We're all back on the Hurricanes bandwagon in this part of the country and it really feels like we'll be celebrating come next Saturday night. But if the unexpected happens tonight and the Hurricanes bow out to the Brumbies. At least we'll be able to say we expected it.
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NO doubt the entire Wanganui rugby community will be backing the Hurricanes tonight.

There will even be a contingent heading to the capital to be at the sold-out Westpac Stadium.

A junior partner in the Hurricanes franchise, this province punches above its weight in providing age-group reps at least.

So wouldn't it be great if Hurricanes management rewarded Wanganui with a pre-season game next year?

Smaller partner unions Wairarapa Bush and Horowhenua-Kapiti have hosted these matches recently.

Imagine a full house and Cooks Gardens on a summer's Saturday afternoon. Surely it's our turn.