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THE HURRICANES ENDED their quest for a first-ever Super Rugby title this year, as they triumphed over the Lions in a home final at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

Having been beaten by the Highlanders in the 2015 decider, the Hurricanes’ trophy marked a deserved reward for a side that has always provided the All Blacks with high-quality players.

Super Rugby is a key element in the preparation of New Zealand’s rugby players for Test rugby, with the Hurricanes’ Dane Coles, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett and Julian Savea all in the international squad for the upcoming Tests against Ireland in Chicago and Dublin.

The Hurricanes also have six players in the Māori All Blacks squad that will take on Munster at Thomond Park on 11 November.

We visited the Hurricanes’ training base at Rugby League Park in Wellington to catch up with former Ireland forwards coach John Plumtree, who has been an assistant to Chris Boyd for the last two seasons.

We also spoke to Jason Holland, the ex-Munster centre and coach, who joined the Canes’ coaching staff as an assistant ahead of the 2016 season and also recently head coached the New Zealand Secondary Schools side.

Plumtree and Holland explained how the Canes operate and the role they play in contributing to the All Blacks’ success.

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