The Mind of Mark Hammet

Mark Hammett have a "baptism in fire" in first year as the coach at Hurricanes SXV team and end with terrible melt down with senior players that end up with such big names all leave the club some under dark cloud of some bitter like:

* Andrew Hore
* Ma'a Nonu
* Hosea Gear
* Piri Weepu
* Aaron Cruden
* So'oialo
* Tialata

Many people mocking to Hammett and say that he is arrogant and bad manager and the team destined to fail.

When so many of these players feature to 2011 RWC winners then even more drums are banging and the knife sharpening!

But winding on a full year this man now sit in a good spot with twice as many wins as last year and a chance to play off for finals discover the new talent to make a future for both Hurricanes and all blacks through names like:

* Andre Taylor who light up the SXV and some call for replacing world cup star Israel Dagg already.
* TJ Perenara who some calling already to be all blacks future 9 despite great performance of Aaron Smith.
* Beauden Barret who feature in AB demolision job on Ireland
* Julean Savea who score a hat-trick on debut on Ireland too!

I comment on this before a few time, but is worth watch this story unfold more! Maybe after so much ridicule Hammett will "do a duck" and make an All black world cup final one day?

The Hurricanes always had great talent especially in the backs AWOP,BUT have been underachievers in the S15 the Nearly men.Correct me if I`m wrong here but was`nt Mark Hamett involved with the Crusaders.THE most successful Super franchise,and was`nt it his First Season as a Head Coach.Perhaps it was a case of First Year Chemistry or The Coach or players expected too much.With respect the NZ franchises usually have one outstanding team,two or three upper middle and one near the bottom.The latter teams recently were most of the time Highlanders,the Chiefs.Wellington,and this year the Blues.Often the bad runs have been due to player losses retiring,going abroad or injuries.The Crusaders a couple of years back had a for them a bad run due to injuries but only made the play offs due to losing bonus points plus often 4 try bonus points as well.The players you mention all were members ofJWC winning teams all are very promising.BUT would you put them in a starting AllBlack team versus the Boks at Loftus or Port Elizabeth i would`nt.You did`nt mention the man in the back line who is making things tick.The Captain Conrad Smith in my opinion the best mid field back in World rugby today.The forwards frankly are pants,the Crusaders had them 9 ways to Sunday up front.A more experienced Crusaders Backline would have won that match and taken the Ref out of the equation.Had the new TMO use being trialled in this years Currie Cup been working Saturday.
Julian Savea`s obstruction would have probably had one of Conrad Smiths try`s dis allowed.As one who seldom follows Super/ITM Rugby except on a peripheral basis it is good to see 4 very competetive NZ Franchises this year.
Also it is very good to see the young players coming thru as to Mark Hammett becoming an AB head Coach?Frankly Jamie Joseph, Wayne Smith or Todd Blackadder would be my choices before him.

I think getting rid of Nonu was actually one of his best decisions.

There were rumours that he tried to be bigger than the coach right? And he never really shows any Super rugby form until the end of the season as well.