Hurricanes boss Jason Holland has defended his decision to rest Ardie Savea, Jordie Barrett and Tyrel Lomax in Saturday’s loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Despite suffering a defeat to the table-topping Chiefs, Hurricanes boss Jason Holland has stood by his decision to rest three All Blacks for the encounter in Hamilton on Saturday.
Play-offs fast approaching
With Super Rugby Pacific‘s business end fast approaching, and with the teams finishing in the top four positions assured of home matches in the play-offs, the Hurricanes needed to beat the Chiefs if they wanted to strengthen their chances of hosting a home quarter-final.
However, Holland opted to rest star All Blacks trio Ardie Savea, Jordie Barrett and Tyrel Lomax for the crunch clash with the Chiefs and unsurprisingly his team eventually suffered a 23-12 defeat.
With zero competition points to show for their efforts, the Hurricanes are currently in fifth position on the table – one point adrift of the Blues, who they are set to face at Eden Park next weekend.
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Holland opted not to dwell on the point regarding his decision to rest Savea, Barrett and Lomax.
“Who knows, I can’t see through that,” he told Stuff when asked if he felt his team would have doe better if they had the All Blacks trio in their ranks against the Chiefs.
“But I thought the boys were gunning for an opportunity, and they took their opportunity, and they showed intent with what they did in the spots that filled in for the All Blacks, and everyone else.
“I’m pretty proud of how the boys stuck to their guns and competed.
“There’s lots of good signs for us, and when we get a little bit more accurate we’ll put teams away. But I think the way we attacked that game, the way we competed, was pretty encouraging, and exciting for the run in.”
With just two rounds of the league phase of Super Rugby Pacific left, the Hurricanes are involved in a scrap with the Crusaders, Brumbies and Blues for the remaining three home quarter-finals as the Chiefs have the top spot virtually sewn up.
Apart from their upcoming clash with the Blues, the Hurricanes also have a tricky assignment against the Crusaders in Wellington lying in wait.
Excited about last two league games
“We’ll be excited about having a crack at those two, because we’ll be desperate to make sure that we’re playing a quarter-final at home, we want to get home to our fans who have been awesome this year,” added Holland.
“We’ve got two derbies to go, and then possibly another three to hold the thing [trophy] up. And that’s all we’re thinking around, how do we win the championship. And I think we’re in pretty good shape to have a good crack at it.”