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Collins rallies his team-mates

Wednesday 21st May 2008

Collins: 'Lets get Rodders to the Final'

Rodney So'oialo's long-time comrade Jerry Collins has called for the Hurricanes to win him a spot in the Super 14 Final after the skipper and the number eight's hopes of playing in Saturday's semi-final against the Crusaders look to be fading by the day.

So'oialo was an agitated spectator at training in Wellington on Wednesday, nursing bruised ribs suffered in his team's loss against the Blues last week.

He still suffers discomfort when running but was hoping that a fitness test close to kick-off in Christchurch will prove his readiness.

"I'm like a little kid who wants to play with all his mates instead of sitting at home," So'oialo told NZPA.

"I'm obviously not 100 per cent. It's getting better every day and it's looking a lot better now than it was on Friday.

"I'll be pushing to try to get on the field. I'm one of those players who doesn't want to miss any game."

Chris Masoe ran at number eight at practice, with the speedy Scott Waldrom training on the openside flank where he excelled in several games this season while Collins was sidelined, also with bruised ribs.

The All Blacks combination of So'oialo, Collins and Masoe was reunited after a month apart last weekend but there is serious doubt that "the bouncers", as they are known, will combine to face a likely Crusaders combination of Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Mose Tuiali'i.

Collins has admired Waldrom's output this season but said neither he nor Masoe should try to emulate the non-stop, combative style of So'oialo if the skipper is ruled out.

"Don't try to be anyone else, you can't play like Rodders (So'oialo) but you do the best you can," said Collins.

"We just have to get out there and buy him another week. That's our main goal, to get him to the final.

"Rodders has to do what's best for his body and everyone in the team appreciates that."

Piri Weepu was also confined to spectator duties on Wednesday courtesy of a strained hamstring, with Alby Mathewson running in his place. However, Weepu is regarded as a likely starter.

A more interesting sight was that of Tim Fairbrother training at tighthead prop rather than All Black Neemia Tialata.

Tialata, whose form has been erratic this season, missed the Blues match while serving a one-match suspension.

In his place, Fairbrother was more than commendable against destructive Blues loosehead Tony Woodcock.

So'oialo was heartened by the improved depth in his squad this season.

"We've certainly got the players who can do it. Now it's a matter of going out there and wanting it a little bit more than the Crusaders," he said.

Former All Blacks full-back Christian Cullen called on the Hurricanes to adopt a more attacking attitude than during their 13-20 mid-season loss to the Crusaders in Wellington.

So'oialo agreed but said that could only be achieved through a structured approach.

"Maintaining the ball is a biggie in this type of rugby," said the Hurricanes skipper.

"If you have the ball you get more opportunities to run."