WINDS OF CHANGE

Seriously, is anyone really surprised at how quickly the Hurricanes playing roster has unraveled under new coach Mark Hammett?

As many of the franchise’s established stars leave to find their fortunes elsewhere, those of us on the sidelines now understand that “loyalty” is not what it used to be, it’s not just a one (or two) way street and is now virtually a redundant concept in professional sport.

The latest to depart is All Black halfback Piri Weepu, whose signing with the Blues for next year’s Super 15 has prompted screams of betrayal from the Cake Tin faithful. How could he do this to us?

Well, why wouldn’t he?

Let’s look at it from Weepu’s perspective. His rugby world has been tipped on its head over the past 12 months.

He’s already seen some of his closest allies driven out of town and while the Hurricanes organization apparently wants him to stay, he’d likely have to adjust his approach to the game if he is to thrive under Hammett’s regime.

It’s natural for players to stick together under these circumstances. For years, Weepu has spilt blood in the trenches with his team-mates and is probably disgusted at how rudely they’re being treated right now.

It just won’t be the same without them and if things are going to change so drastically, why shouldn’t he exercise the last vestige of control he has over his destiny and go start again somewhere new?

These are the kinds of decisions we all make in our lives every day. They’re never taken lightly, so good luck to him.

With all this going on so close to home, it’s sobering to watch a similar scenario unfold in the American NFL, where quarterback Carson Palmer wants to be traded from a terrible Cincinnati Bengals side, but administrators have dug their toes in and forced him into retirement rather than tear up his contract.

Sure, a contract is a contract and the Bengals don't want to reward Palmer for breaking his, but, if it suited them, you can bet Palmer would be out of there with no control over where. Everyone expects loyalty, but it’s such a fickle commodity.

Meanwhile, back in New Zealand, I’m NOT one of those beating up on Hammett.

The former All Black hooker has come from a winning culture at Canterbury and the Crusaders, and has been asked to transform an underachieving programme in Wellington.

And let’s be very clear – given the talent available to them, the Hurricanes have been disappointing.

For whatever reason, the likes of Weepu, Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Aaron Cruden, Victor Vito, Neemia Tialata and Andrew Hore (not to mention Christian Cullen, Jonah Lomu, Tana Umaga, Jerry Collins and Rodney So’oialo before them) have failed to deliver a Super Rugby title to the capital.

Their free-flowing style of play has been entertaining, but hasn’t proved a successful formula and, too often, fans have been left lamenting its inconsistencies. Those are the same supporters now hammering on Hammett for trying to buck the trend.

During his first season at the helm, he tried to work with what he had inherited, but found many of his stars either unable or unwilling to move from their comfort zones. Now he’s searching for others that will share his vision.

Give the Hurricanes some credit for backing their coach in this process, because many organisations would simply have bowed to player power. But there will undoubtedly be more pain and some defeats before things turn around.

I’m also NOT jumping on the Blues bandwagon now they have a backline that features Weepu, Nonu, Alby Matthewson, U20s star Gareth Anscombe, Isaia Toeava and possibly Sonny Bill Williams.

On paper, they’re all great talents, but there are already questions over how Weepu, Matthewson and Anscombe will co-exist close to the scrum. And if both Nonu and Williams end up in Auckland, who will wear the “12” jersey they both covet at international level and who will play out of their preferred position?

Chemistry isn’t a word you readily associate with the Blues, so coach Pat Lam clearly has his work cut out molding this lineup into a championship unit.