Aisle be back: Hurricanes v Waratahs

Since this is a column about the Hurricanes, let's avoid talking about them for a while. 

No, I'd rather discuss how this weekend we will see the Koru Club game. The only time I've been in the KC is when something bad has happened and it's recompense. 

So this weekend's KC game is the Highlanders hosting the Blues. Whoever loses will have four losses clocked up - and that is probably enough to put them too far back to contemplate anything 
other than a very hard finals footy road. 

It's not quite the departure lounge. That kicks in around 5 or 6 losses and when I say it's terminal, I don't mean the kind where the big jets engines roar. 

You’d be amazed if the battered Highlanders don't prevail. You could call the Blues erratic, but it doesn't quite capture the ongoing malaise. These are two teams who've copped a lot of derbies, but so have the Chiefs and Crusaders - and both are flourishing. 

And what about them Saders? Anyone got a feel for how good they really are. I certainly don't. They've building their own narrative of a Band of Brothers but I'd just like to see how they go against the attack-weighted Canes. 

If you've composed yourself after Cyclone Gardner, you might want to reflect that the kind of game played by the Canes is possibly going to flirt with the TMO more than say, the Rebels. It's unashamedly high-tempo, searching for width, and the brave options. In the end that's how they prevailed over the Reds. Thank heavens they did, otherwise we'd still be whining. 

Nothing underscores the freefall for our Aussie compatriots than the Waratahs who of course we play on Friday. Two years ago they snuck into our place and took away the points. Last year we repaid the honours. Both games were sort of close. 

It's hard though to feel it will be close on Friday if the Canes play to their potential, even though there are four changes to the match 23. 

One of the benefits of early-season injuries are that they mean you get players coming back in just when some of the frontliners could do with a break. 

So welcome back Vaea Fifita to the bench, and CJ to the wing - while Wes Goosen and Reed Prinsep also step up. It'll be interesting to see if that takes any edge off the side. 

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If the All Blacks are seeking a midweek match against a French Top 14 side, then possibly Steve Tew's description of it as being a "softer" game will have long-retired test players chuckling. 

Tours of France used to consist of two tests, and then before that a string of French Selections. Legend has it that such selecting that went on consisted of finding the ugliest, most combative, forwards to unleash and generally wear down the visitors over a succession of games. 

I trailled the 86' team around France and it was a great experience - a string of southern towns, and tough matches with fabulous crowd atmosphere. 

There's is of course a great danger that the end of year Northern Hemisphere trip could actually turn into a proper tour of sorts if this sort of malarkey sets a precedence. That would be most perplexing for fans who want tours. 

And if you're worried about squad burnout, take a bigger squad - let the dirt-trackers track. 

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The Hurricanes team to meet the Waratahs is: Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Cory Jane, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Wes Goosen, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara (c), Reed Prinsep, Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields, Michael Fatialofa, Mark Abbott, Jeff To'omaga-Allen, Ricky Ricciteli, Ben May. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, Vaea Fifita, Toa Halafihi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Otere Black, Vince Aso.

Kick-off is at 7.35pm on Friday night – the weather should be right by then.

Lifelong All Blacks supporter Kev has followed the Hurricanes since they began. Last year his faith in them was rewarded when they won the title – can they do it again?