John Plumtree Claims New Plymouth Is Still Hurricanes Home
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| John Plumtree Claims New Plymouth Is Still Hurricanes Home |
John Plumtree, the assistant coach of the Hurricanes, says that New Plymouth is still their home. Before the clash between the Hurricanes' Super Rugby & Chiefs, the fight of heart and minds of the Taranaki rugby supporters is going to be a factor. The game is going to be held on Saturday at Yarrow Stadium. After 2014, when Taranaki changed their support for Chiefs the debate has become heated whether Hurricanes fans would change their colors or not. So, during the final round of 2015 regular season should offer some definitive answer through the color of jerseys and flags of the crowds who will be present at the already sold out game. Plumtree, former Taranaki said he was quite disappointed when he got back, but he is sure the crowds will support the Hurricanes on Monday. He added
Napier was a great home game last week, Palmerston North, when we went there, was great too. The regions have been excellent to us, so I think it will feel like a home game when we go to New Plymouth.
On the other hand, the first volley had been fired by the Chiefs marketers when they came out with "This one's about territory” slogan and started the off-field battle. Earlier the team arrived at New Plymouth on Thursday and did their training in Francis Douglas Memorial College which is the old school of heir captain Conrad Smith. Letter dinner was also hosted for past players and supporters. Their team is scheduled to visit local schools and the hospital and also a meet and greet with fans later in the city center.
Six Taranaki players are boosted by Hurricanes including current captain James Marshall and Beauden Barrett. On the other hand, five Taranaki players are boosted by The Chiefs which includes regular starters Marty McKenzie and Charlie Ngatai. It is quite unsure that how the local crowd will react to the first game of Hurricanes as two years ago they cut loose and also the franchise neglected the region that has given a lot of quality players.
For Dave Rennie, the Chiefs coach this match has great importance as there is still chance to clinch a home quarterfinal. As a home semifinal is already secured the Hurricanes may rest Ma'a Nonu but Plumtree assured that there was no lack of motivation for the match. But the weekend has been emotional for the team as Jerry Collins, the former loose forward passed away. In the early 2000s, Plumtree coached Collins in the Wellington Lions and said he is still in disbelief, and he cannot imagine that he will never see his former charge again. He also said players over South Africa asked him how he was a player over everything else. He said that he was the unbelievably tight player and in every way he was a colossus of a man. Finally, he added
I loved coaching Jerry because he was uncomplicated. He'd stick to the plan. He trained the hardest in the gym, trained the hardest out here [on the field]. He was a pleasure to coach.
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