Aisle be back: Hurricanes v Stormers

I apologise for mentioning a while back that at least the injuries were happening to the All Black backs - because it was the forward pack we needed to stay intact for the Lions.

Now we've got three key players in serious doubt - the warrior Kaino, the skipper Read, and the pocket rocket Coles.

It's not a crisis - but it could head that way.

There's a glib view that New Zealand has such depth that it can take such hits better than any other nation, and of course that's true to a point.

But teams are still teams - and greater than the sum of parts. Rewiring the pack and expecting it to be the same is going to be a challenge.

I'm sure it can be achieved, if it comes to that, but every erosion like this evens the scales for Warren Gatland, who reckons his injury list is lessening by the day.

He is after all putting together a pack from scratch. It helps him if the All Blacks, just a little bit, are wrestling with similar issues.  

+++++++++

There are six rounds to go before the Red Mist descends and Super Rugby, as far as New Zealand is concerned, goes on ice.

Before that happens, we should have fair idea of how the finals footie will be likely to shake out - remembering that NZ comes out of its international window to play one further round, the other countries, two. The Rebels at that point will need 74 bonus points from their last match to make the top 8.

It's all going to be pretty strange by that stage but hey, strange is the first cousin from Eketahuna of Super Rugby as we all know.

So let's play a harmless game of who's got the toughest run-in prior to the Lions tour. The Blues don't get to play. Sorry Blues.

So it's the Hurricanes: v Stormers (h), v Crusaders (a), v Cheetahs (h) v Bulls (a) v Force (a) v Chiefs (h).

Score them the table placing (current) of their opponents (the real placing not the Sanzar placing). But only if they're in the top 8.

Everyone else is rubbish mostly and count as 10s. Ignore home advantage although you know you shouldn't.

On that basis, the Canes's six opponents rate an average 6.8.

The Chiefs have a 6.6. Marginally tougher run-in.

The Crusaders rank 6.4. Again a bit tougher and toughest of the lot.

And the Landers - well they are in hog heaven, with an 8.6 rating. Then again they need it.

So my dodgy analysis shows the NZ conference is going to be very tight, the top three facing similar run-ins – albeit with the Canes having one more match to play than the rest. Thus it shows what you almost certainly already knew!

And as has become pretty obvious, that Canes v Crusaders match in two weeks is shaping up the big game changer.

If post-Lions, it's still the Canes and Crusaders in snapping distance of each other, well, just remember we play them in the very last round. 

At home.

+++++++

It would be a shock to say the least if the Stormers aren't beaten comfortably this Friday. Just make sure it comes with a bonus point.

Let's see how Ardie goes again at number 8. It's an intriguing option for the All Blacks if the injury toll keeps mounting.

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?