Embattled Hurricane coach, Mark Hammett
As he prepares to leave the Hurricanes, coach Mark Hammett gave a parting shot by claiming that the Hurricanes were in a state of disarray when he took over the coaching reins ahead of the 2011 season.
Hammett, who is heading overseas to coach Welsh club Cardiff, is in the final stages of his four-year tenure with the Hurricanes after they were left in seventh place, one point outside of the playoffs, following the final round of Super Rugby.
Seventh was the best finish Hammett led the side to during his time in charge but his first season was a rescue mission as he moved on some senior players, including Andrew Hore and Ma’a Nonu as Hammett deemed they weren’t helpful for the team environment.
Given he was a former Crusaders assistant coach and player, Hammett, who took over from Colin Cooper, copped much public vitriol as many believed he was trying to replicate that team in Wellington.
Other senior Hurricanes then jumped off what looked like a sinking ship ahead of the 2012 campaign as they stumbled to ninth place in 2011.
“I’m really proud of a lot of the stuff we’ve achieved,” Hammett said of his time in the capital. “When I came here it was a real mess; I was disappointed actually when I came in here to see the work that had to be done. People ask me all the time: ‘Do you have regrets around that first year and how it was handled?’. I regret the state it was in.”
“There was a lack of leadership, there was some character flaws and there were some really professional standards that were nowhere near [what they needed to be].”
Hurricanes skipper Conrad Smith said he was aware there were some problems around team culture but until 2009 the Hurricanes were regularly in the playoffs before things started to head downhill in 2010 when they finished eighth.
Hammett made those changes much to the frustration of many and while the results didn’t always much up with his vision – they finished eighth in 2012 and 11th last year – the environment at the Hurricanes is now far more inclusive.
Hammett said he was grateful to hear the kind words of Smith who spoke on behalf of the team at the franchise’s end of season dinner last week and Smith said Hammett’s true character had shone through during his time in charge.
“It was nice to hear how that group feels,” Hammett said.
And as Hammett is on his way out, news is that Ma’a Nonu might be on his way back. Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith wants All Blacks team-mate Ma’a Nonu back at the franchise but feels his return must be managed right.
Conrad Smith would love to be re-united with centre partner Ma’a Nonu
Nonu, and former Hurricanes skipper Andrew Hore, were axed by coach Mark Hammett following a turbulent 2011 season.
Now that Hammett has left the Hurricanes it means Nonu is now able to return to his home franchise after recent stints with the Blues and Highlanders.
But Smith feels that should be handled right as the team has made great strides in improving their culture since Nonu’s departure.
“I don’t think anything is signed off,” Smith told Sportal.
“He’s a good mate of mine and I’ve played a lot of rugby with him. It will be good for the team but it has to be managed right.”
“There is a process to go through and if he’s a good fit for the Hurricanes… We had the same discussions last year and Hammett was keen to have those discussions but didn’t think the timing was right. But he was happy to look at it again this year.”
“It’s not a personality thing (with Nonu). It’s how he fits into the Hurricanes and if we’re ready for it. Personally I’d love to have him alongside me again.”
“Bringing a player that influential back into the team we have to make sure the whole team is happy with it.”
“I’m not saying anyone’s not… in fact from what I’ve heard everyone is positive. It is a big decision and that’s why you have to go through and make sure everyone is okay.”
Smith has spoken to Nonu about returning and the Hurricanes’ new culture and he believes his All Blacks midfield partner would buy into how things were now being done off the field.
“Hopefully he sees how much it has changed when he’s back as well,” added Smith.
“But I think Ma’a has changed a fair bit in that time too.”
“If the stars align and everything works out I think it will be great for the club to have him back in the Hurricanes playing really well.”